Paul Greengrass, the director behind the Jason Bourne films, has declined to work on a new instalment despite a personal request from Prince William. The popular franchise has seen five movies released from 2002 to 2016, with Matt Damon portraying the central character in four of them. The last film, “Jason Bourne,” featured Damon with only 25 lines of dialogue, while Jeremy Renner took on the lead role in “The Bourne Legacy” in 2012.
Although the series achieved great success, with Greengrass directing three of the films, he has expressed no interest in returning to the Bourne universe. During a meeting at the Bafta offices in London, Prince William reportedly urged Greengrass to consider making another Bourne film, exclaiming, “Another Bourne, another Bourne,” to which the director simply laughed and shook his head in response.
After the encounter with the prince, Greengrass remarked that he feels it’s time for someone younger to take on the franchise, stating, “Not for me, they need somebody younger, I’ve done my bit. But I hope they get somebody great and young to do it.” Despite this, there were reports in 2020 that the franchise producer, Frank Marshall, was exploring the possibility of a new Bourne movie with a different director.
During the event where Prince William met Greengrass, other prominent British actors like Andy Serkis, Celia Imrie, and Stephen Merchant also shared their insights. They emphasised the importance of supporting the next generation in the film industry, with Imrie, a former chorus girl, acknowledging the significance of climbing the ladder in the entertainment world.
Greengrass, who champions Bafta’s bursary scheme, spoke positively about Prince William’s efforts in providing opportunities for young talents. The Prince William Bafta Bursary Fund, established in 2021, supports creatives at the start of their careers in film, games, or television. The director made the inaugural donation to the fund, which complements Bafta’s annual scholarships that also aid aspiring individuals in the industry.
On a lighter note, Prince William shared his admiration for Stephen Merchant’s TV series, “The Outlaws,” during the event. The prince expressed his enjoyment of the show, highlighting a shared sense of humour with the actor. Additionally, Prince William interacted with MA students from the National Film and Television School, demonstrating his support for the Royal Africa Society and its initiatives.
As the event concluded, Prince William discussed the diversity and excitement that films bring, expressing his love for the wide range of genres and storytelling. His engagement with industry professionals and aspiring talents underscored his commitment to fostering creativity and inclusivity in the entertainment sector.