Update:
Well, they’ve figured it out. I’m told that the studio is so bullish on this that the intention is to make the reteam the next Bourne film to go into production to make the
July 16, 2016, release slot that Universal had
previously assigned to an untitled Bourne film. That means it would step in front of the
spinoff sequel that is to reprise Jeremy Renner and be directed by
Fast & Furious architect Justin Lin. That film, which began with the Tony Gilroy-directed
The Bourne Legacy, remains in development. I thought its premise— Renner plays one of several genetically altered assassins, all of whom are targeted for death — was smart and satisfying on its own. Universal intends to continue that series and to broaden its franchise base, much the way that Marvel cranks out superhero films.
The Bourne Legacy was a good start to a new franchise, but Jason Bourne is a hard act to follow. Now, franchise-hungry Universal has both of them. Lin can probably use the time, as he
signed on to direct the second season of the HBO series
True Detective.
And saying "my favorite franchise is dead"
