Paul Greengrass is known for directing several editions in Universal’s Jason Bourne series. But the filmmaker has said he was once offered the opportunity to decamp and direct a rival James Bond film.
“They asked me after I did Bourne Supremacy,” Greengrass told The Rest Is Classified podcast.
Greengrass, however, quickly clarified that he would never think of directing a Bond feature.
“I have immense admiration and respect for what Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson did with that. And Daniel, you know, was a fantastic James Bond,” he said. “But it’s a bit like if you play for Manchester United, you can’t sign for Man City, you know? You wouldn’t feel right about that. You feel loyal. I do.”
Greengrass added that he is a certified “Bourne guy”.
“I hope they bring him back. I don’t know whether they will. I think they still try to,” he said.
In June, Matt Damon said he was open to reviving the film series.
“We’re always looking to try to get another one of those because we loved it, everyone who worked on them,” Parade magazine. “So there’s always some attempt going on to write, to come up with a new story. So if you have anything, let us know.”
The Bourne Identity (2002), directed by Doug Liman, was the first in the series. It was followed by The Bourne Supremacy (2004), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), The Bourne Legacy (2012), and Jason Bourne (2016). Damon did not reprise his role in the fourth entry, which introduced a new character portrayed by Jeremy Renner.
The films have collectively grossed more than $1.64 billion at the global box office.