A few days ago Sean wrote about Paul Greengrass exiting the fourth Jason Bourne flick. Back then nobody really knew why Greengrass had just up and left the project, but there was speculation that it was probably due to Universal blocking his mojo on the production of his Bourne-esque film Green Zone, with them keeping Greengrass in line and not allowing him to spend millions after millions beyond the budget and what not. Shame on you Universal!

Apparently that wasn’t the reason at all though… Or maybe it was, but on the pretty sugar-coated front, it isn’t being made out to appear like that was the reason at least. Greengrass has issued a statement clarifying why he left, which, as he says himself, had nothing to do with Universal whom with he has a wonderful working relationship and blah blah blah. Read Greengrass’ statement below:

“You won’t find a more devoted supporter of the Bourne franchise than me. I will always be grateful to have been the caretaker to Jason Bourne over the course of The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. I’m very proud of those films and feel they express everything I most passionately believe about the possibility of making quality movies in the mainstream. My decision to not return a third time as director is simply about feeling the call for a different challenge. There’s been no disagreement with Universal Pictures. The opportunity to work with the Bourne family again is a difficult thing to pass up, but we have discussed this together and they have been incredibly understanding and supportive. I’ve been lucky enough to have made four films for Universal, and our relationship continues. Jason Bourne existed before me and will continue, and I hope to remain involved in some capacity as the series moves on.”

So now that it’s officially official, who might replace Greengrass as director, assuming that production goes on smoothly? One guess might be the writer of the flick, George Nolfi, who’s currently in the midst of directing his very first movie, that being another Matt Damon-starrer called The Adjustment Bureau, which just so happens to also be at Universal. Who do you think would be a good replacement for Greengrass, if any at all? Shout off in the comments below!