9 Problems A Jason Bourne Sequel Must Avoid

The Bourne Identity says it all really: Jason Bourne, a man suffering with amnesia attempts to discover who he is amidst a clandestine conspiracy within the CIA. The first three films we get to follow Bourne as he uses brain and brawn to uncover his true identity and it was a balls-to-wall action thrill ride. But it came to an end, he found out who he was. Can we just leave it there? Apparently not.

Jason Bourne decides there are still some holes left in this particular backstory, and besides what would a Bourne film be without a few flashbacks?

Better, probably.

A large part of the 'great story' Paul Greengrass alluded to in the films lead-up involves a heavy dose of more Bourne background and injects some daddy issues into the proceedings as if being a brain-washed assassin wasn't 'angsty' enough. The inclusion of the mystery of Bourne's CIA employed father is so shoe-horned in it feels like Greengrass just wanted to use the blurred flashback aesthetic again. Like he didn't think it would truly be a Bourne film without it.

The addition of more backstory falls faster than Bourne's last victim and adds nothing to the layered character we already know and adore. Removing it would have given us a chance to meet the present Bourne, one not still tethered to his now overly-coincidental past. It is yet another clear example that change is needed to revitalise this franchise.