He says the Universal release has taken the title from the Eric Van Lustbader book based on the series created by Robert Ludlum, but that they will not be using the story. "This is not a reboot or a recast or a prequel. No one's replacing Matt Damon. There will be a whole new hero, a whole new chapter...this is a stand-alone project," said Gilroy.Tony Gilroy will be the new director for the Bourne franchise, Gilroy has scripted all of the Bourne films including the pending fourth installment and has directed 'Michael Clayton' & 'Duplicity.'
"The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal," Gilroy added. "Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he's very much alive. What happened in the first three films is the trigger for what happens. I'm building a legend and an environment and a wider conspiracy... the world we're making enhances and advances and invites Jason Bourne's return [down the road]."
There is no word if Matt Damon will return in Jason Bournes shoes has he previously said he would not reprise his role if Paul Greengrass wasn't directing. Universal has stated the studio is willing to recast the role if need be, so we could have a new David Webb.