4. Shoehorned Cameos
Joan Allen has been a thrilling presence in both the second and third Bourne films, and in Ultimatum, David Strathairn's appearance as the villainous Noah Vosen was also deliciously entertaining to watch. Albert Finney, as the key to Jason Bourne's condition, was meanwhile a vital part of wrapping up that story. That all three appear in Legacy for a total of less than one minute each, then - despite appearing prominently on posters and other advertising - gives it a very forced feel, as though to provide the film with a greater passing continuity with the previous film, and therefore a greater sense of credibility. But moreover, it feels crass given the film's trailers heavily implying that the characters of Pamela Landy and Noah Vosen would be figuring prominently in the fourth film; that they may as well have not even appeared at all makes it seem tacky and a calculated studio-orientated move. What would have made sense is to actually give them strong supporting roles; as familiar characters greatly immersed in the series thus far, they might have made the transition over to a new character slightly easier to take, though of course, there is the danger that they would just draw attention away from Cross, and right back to Jason Bourne.