It has been nearly two years since Academy Award winner Edward Berger was first attached to helm Jason Bourne 6, and now the director has addressed the project’s status. While it is yet to be confirmed whether franchise lead Matt Damon will reprise the role he first played in 2002, the actor has previously expressed his willingness to return.

Previously, Berger had also been rumored to be attached to direct the long-awaited Ocean’s 14. However, the filmmaker would later dismiss those claims. Instead, The Fall Guy director David Leitch is reportedly the current frontrunner to helm that particular project.

Recently speaking with The Hollywood Reporter for his upcoming Netflix movie, Ballad of a Small Player, Berger spoke about both his rumored participation in Oceans 14 and his actual involvement in Jason Bourne 6. Admitting that franchises could be original, he would have gladly done Oceans 14, but is still developing the next Bourne movie. Check out his comments below:

A franchise can be original. If I had invented Oceans, I would have done it in a heartbeat. That’s a great franchise. And I’m in developing a Bourne movie, and I will do it if Matt wants to do it.

Berger also went on to say that his plans will be contingent on luring Damon back to the role, and that his sequel needs to add “something new” to the franchise. He also suggested that he’s not interested in making a movie that simply re-covers familiar ground. Check out his final comments below:

If we can really have the feeling that we are adding something new to the great Bourne films that were already. That will be necessary to make Matt want to do it, and to make me want to do it. I would love nothing more than to make a big-budget, expensive, fun movie that embraces the audience. But these movies are also hard to find because I still don’t want to make something that I feel other people have treaded 20 times.

What Edward Berger’s Comments Mean For Jason Bourne 6

When Damon first ᴀssumed the role of Jason Bourne for 2002’s The Bourne Idenтιтy, the deftly made adaptation of Robert Ludlum’s novel had a major impact on espionage thrillers. Adopting a far more serious and grounded sensibility than other major spy movies, the success of the franchise’s first entries would even impact the long-running James Bond series.

However, as the franchise toyed with the possibility of moving beyond Damon’s тιтular hero and instead attempted to introduce Jeremy Renner’s Aaron Cross in 2012’s The Bourne Legacy, it quickly became apparent that the franchise struggled without his direct involvement. As such, it is clear why Berger’s plans for Jason Bourne 6 would be contingent on Damon’s return.

While Damon has hinted at his willingness to reprise the role, Berger’s comments would suggest that the project is still a long way from receiving any official greenlight or definitive confirmation of his return.

Our Take On Matt Damon’s Potential Return As Jason Bourne

Few actors can boast serving as the lead of a major action franchise for over two decades, and for many viewers, the role of Jason Bourne is now inseparable from the actor who portrays him.

While it is likely that Ludlum’s amnesiac ᴀssᴀssin will eventually be recast at some point in the future, with any luck, Berger will find the idea he needs for Jason Bourne 6 and offer Damon another chance to prove why he was an ideal choice for the role to begin with.

Even though it sounds as though it may be some time until audiences will receive definitive confirmation of Jason Bourne 6, at least from Bergers’ comments viewers can rest ᴀssured the long-awaited sequel will not move forward without him.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter