Matt Damon And Paul Greengrass To Tackle A “Post-Snowden World” With Bourne 5

Throughout the course of the original Bourne trilogy – sorry, Jeremy Renner – director Paul Greengrass displayed a deft touch in assimilating some of the most hard-pressing political themes of the time into his espionage thrillers. Looking ahead to his future reunion with the filmmaker, Matt Damon recently teased the way in which the franchise has evolved since the release of Ultimatum, and how ultimately both he and Greengrass will be tackling a post-Snowden world with Bourne 5.

Such was the cultural impact of the NSA whistleblower that Damon feels incorporating themes of informational control and democracy is an easy decision to make, and in an interview with Buzzfeed, The Martian star hinted at the kind of global thriller we can expect in Universal’s as-yet-untitled sequel.

“Without giving too much of it away, it’s Bourne through an austerity-riddled Europe and in a post-Snowden world,” Damon said. “It seems like enough has changed, you know? There are all these kinds of arguments about spying and civil liberties and the nature of democracy.”

Penning the story alongside Greengrass is Christopher Rouse, and the fifth installment has already assembled an enviable cast on the eve of filming kicking off. From Tommy Lee Jones to Ex Machina starlet Alicia Vikander, Bourne 5 is gearing up to have quite the ensemble. Furthermore, Julia Stiles has been locked down and Viggo Mortensen is reportedly circling the sequel’s lead villain.

Filming is primed to get underway in earnest next week ahead of a marquee summer release next year, and Damon offered up some details regarding Bourne 5‘s globe-trotting adventure.

“We’re starting in Greece, you know, the beginning of democracy,” he said — also a nod to the country’s current financial crisis that is plaguing the greater European economy. “And the movie ends in Las Vegas, the most grotesque incarnation of….” Damon trailed off with a laugh.

Much to the delight of action and spy fans, Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon will reunite when Bourne 5 leaps into theaters on July 29, 2016.