The Bourne franchise faced uncertainty when its original star, Matt Damon, decided to leave after The Bourne Ultimatum, prompting studios to find a new lead to keep the series alive. In 2012, Jeremy Renner stepped in as a new skilled agent in The Bourne Legacy, designed to extend the franchise beyond Damon’s departure. However, despite plans for a sequel with director Justin Lin, known for the Fast & Furious franchise, the follow-up never materialized. This shift happened when Matt Damon chose to return, sidelining the potential sequel to The Bourne Legacy.
Justin Lin’s Involvement and the Impact of Damon’s Return
Justin Lin revealed in a 2024 podcast that he had been offered the chance to direct a sequel to The Bourne Legacy because Matt Damon was initially done with the series. Lin was optimistic after meeting Jeremy Renner and developing a script, but the project was halted.
Matt [Damon] and [Paul] Greengrass decided to come back.
Lin accepted the decision without bitterness, understanding the franchise belonged to its original creators.
That’s their franchise, and I totally understand,
he said. Ultimately, the return of Damon and director Paul Greengrass led to the release of Jason Bourne in 2016, and since then, no sequel to The Bourne Legacy has been pursued.
Tony Gilroy’s Vision for a Greater Bourne Cinematic Universe
Tony Gilroy, the screenwriter behind the first three Bourne films as well as The Bourne Legacy, envisioned the series evolving into a vast interconnected universe, similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Speaking in 2025, Gilroy highlighted that The Bourne Legacy was an attempt to plant seeds for a broader franchise.
I mean, I tried to give them a Marvel Universe with ‘Legacy,’
he said.
I think [‘Bourne’] is really underrated in terms of its aspirations and what it actually did.
Challenges Facing the Franchise’s Future
Despite Gilroy’s ambitions, the outlook for expanding the franchise remains bleak. He expressed confusion about the direction of the series after Jason Bourne, which was co-written by Paul Greengrass and Christopher Rouse, noting that it left the story in a difficult place to continue.
I don’t understand the cosmos of [the ‘Bourne’ franchise] anymore. I know where I left off. But after the next one they made, ‘Jason Bourne,’ I don’t know how you go forward,
Gilroy remarked.
I have a feeling it’s not left in such an easy place to recover.
Gilroy’s Stance on Returning and Universal’s Plans
When asked about possibly revisiting the franchise, Gilroy was clear about his decision to move on, recognizing the potential damage to his career if he returned.
I think that would be a poor career decision on my part,
he stated. Despite this, Universal has not abandoned the Bourne series entirely. The studio is reportedly developing a sixth Bourne film, aiming to bring Matt Damon back to reprise the role that helped define the franchise.
