MSN Movies Blog

'The Bourne Legacy' Trailer Introduces Us to Aaron Cross

Jeremy Renner becomes our next super-spy guy

By William Goss Feb 8, 2012 11:35AM
And the franchise reboots of 2002 blockbusters continue with today's teaser for "The Bourne Legacy," in which Jeremy Renner ("Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," "The Avengers") takes over for Matt Damon and Tony Gilroy ("Duplicity," "Michael Clayton") fills in the director's chair left vacant by series standby Paul Greengrass.

So what's it all about? The new trailer at Apple says little, but we do know that Renner plays Aaron Cross, a government asset much like Bourne was, only (seemingly) engineered deep down inside to be a more perfect weapon than the amnesiac assassin of Robert Ludlum's novels.

As the tagline cheekily suggests, "There was never just one," and I suspect that Universal will spending the rest of the summer trying to convince audiences that this is, and isn't, more of the same. (I am curious how much longer they can string "Bourne" into the titles, although the upcoming "I, Alex Cross" will soon step on name turf should they ever decide to switch.)

(Which they won't.)

Re-starring Albert Finney and Joan Allen while also starring Edward Norton, Rachel Weisz and Stacy Keach, "The Bourne Legacy" opens on August 3. The trailer has also been embedded below.


28Comments
Feb 8, 2012 4:31PM
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@Theyjustdontgetit- where do you come up with your consipracy theories? Some HWD screenwriter buys stolen government files on the black market and then creates a hugely successful series of films based off the stolen files? Wow. I suggest more walks in the sun and less time inside. There is nothing in Tony's background to even remotely suggest he has connections of that kind. Now...on to The Bourne Legacy. I am disappointed that Matt Damon will not be continuing with the role of Jason Bourne but the actor himself has admitted he feels too old for it and he has moved on from the mega-popular franchise. So you can't really blame the studio for wanting to continue bringing in the $$$. That is how they stay in business. Look how many actors have portrayed James Bond for pete's sake. Jeremy is not playing Jason. He is a new character. The action looks fantastic, our old friends Joan Allen (Pamela Landy) and Albert Finney are returning with Edward Norton & Stacy Keach. Edward was professionally and personally shamed by Marvel by replacing him as The Hulk but that is another story. I am a HUGE fan of the Damon as Bourne films. From the trailer here, I am willing to trust Universal for at least this one film that there could be new life left in Treadstone that goes beyond Jason Bourne. More than this one film? That remains to be seen once this one opens in theaters.
Feb 9, 2012 9:59AM
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First: Without Matt Damon it won't be the same. But Honestly it doesn't look like they are trying to make it the same. He is a new character, I like the idea.
Second: if you read the books you'd know they didn't follow the story line of books anyway.

Feb 8, 2012 5:43PM
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It's only an action movie, don't expect too much.  The only inconsistency in the trailer is that it opens with the line about there never was only one.  If you watched the series, then you should know there were others.  So just sit back and watch the action and don't try to make a lot of sense out of it.
Feb 8, 2012 4:50PM
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Looks like a good pic. Always like the Borne series. Matt Damon was always good to watch in those series. Time to move on..

 

Feb 9, 2012 11:09AM
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As a Bourne fan...this movie looks awesome!
Feb 9, 2012 2:12PM
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Yes this movie is going to be GREAT!!!!!  Can't wait to get my action fix for 2012!
Feb 9, 2012 9:19AM
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And which Batman is the better Batman? Give it a chance you never know....

Feb 8, 2012 7:02PM
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Wait....didn't Albert Finney's character die in one of the Bourne films?  So, will this film be a flashback, or take place in the same time as the earlier films?  I am not too optimistic about this film.  Robert Ludlum wrote only three Bourne novels;  all the rest have been written by some 'other' author.  These newer books don't read the same, and I don't expect the films will be near as great as those with Matt Damon.  But, hey, it's another action flick, so as long as one keeps their expectations appropriately low, this film should be okay.  I'll give it a chance.  But, Albert Finney...didn't his character die?
Feb 9, 2012 9:54AM
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Hum... I could see them building this character only to have Jeremy Renner's Character face off with Matt Damon's Character in a movie to come. Has that been done this way before? Matt Damon really proved himself with this series of movies. He should be respected and honored for what he's done for the films. This could be an interesting twist to the series, but I certainly wouldn't want it to become another M.I. (Mission Impossible) flake off.

I'll wait to see the reviews this summer before making up my mind.

Feb 9, 2012 9:50AM
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They ruined the movies when they killed Marie in the beginning of the 2nd film - in the books that was his real motivation - his life as David Webb.

 

I have read and enjoyed the entire book series - the new author while not as good as Ludlum is good in his own right.

Feb 8, 2012 8:07PM
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without matt damon i will not pay .15 cents to see remake of bourne identity?
Feb 9, 2012 5:49AM
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he may be good,, may be perfect ,, but Bourne series without Matt is like artificial flower,, i don't think that em gona watch it ,, but might because of action, missing u Matt,,,,
Feb 8, 2012 11:18PM
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@frumple: Doug Liman directed the first film. Gilroy had a hand in the scripts for each, though.
Feb 9, 2012 10:54AM
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Why would the "BOURNE" Franchise make a another movie with-out Matt Damon?? Damon put the "BOURNE" movies on the map and they were $$$$$$$$ makers! Jeremy I'm sure will try pull it off, but he is "NO" Matt!! You people are "STUPID" not to make this movie with Matt ! And I have to say this "BOURNE" won't be the same as the other 3.........Cudos to you though, for bring on Edward Norton and Stacy Keach! You can't go wrong with those guys!!

Feb 8, 2012 6:31PM
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It was good while it ran. It may seem stupid but I'm used to Matt. Someone said something about the bond movies. Can't watch all those remakes with different dudes. 
Feb 8, 2012 6:35PM
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Didn't Gilroy direct the first film in the series? (can't remember who directed the first one) If he did, then I'd expect the same level of film making in this one. I'll hold out judgement for the movie until I actually see it. Maybe it'll be good. Maybe it won't. Isn't that's the way movie series go sometimes?

The trailer looks intersting enough.

Feb 14, 2012 11:58PM
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When I think 'Bourne" I think Matt! Who is this guy?? 

Either way the movie looks good. I'm gonna check it out. I like that they're holding the same concept but I think they should have given the movie another name.
Feb 8, 2012 10:35PM
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If Matt Damon is not in it ! Pissoff !

 

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