Who Should Return for Bourne 6 with Matt Damon?

The Return of Jason Bourne

The Bourne franchise is expanding with a sixth film, as confirmed by Universal Pictures in 2023. Details surrounding the upcoming movie are unknown, including the story and cast. Reports claim that Universal wants Matt Damon to reprise his role as the titular character in the film series. But his return has yet to be confirmed, and negotiations with the actor are assumingly underway. The only thing that is certain about Jason Bourne 6 is that Edward Berger, known for helming All Quiet on the Western Front, will serve as the sequel's director.

Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross pointing a gun in The Bourne Legacy

As for the hypothetical appearances of characters from the previous films (aside from Jason Bourne), that is still a mystery. The fifth film was seemingly set up as the last installment in the franchise (while still leaving the door open for a possible sequel). But Universal felt as if there were more stories to tell in the world of Jason Bourne, so a sixth movie is in development, and its plot could be about anything. It would be safe to say that if the studio wants Damon to return, more actors from previous projects are also probably being considered.

Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross in The Bounre Legacy

Potential Returning Characters

When Matt Damon decided not to return for the fourth Bourne film, the studio decided to create a new character, Aaron Cross, and make him the face of The Bourne Legacy. Cross, played by Jeremy Renner, has only appeared in the 2012 action thriller movie since Damon opted to reprise his role for the next installment. Bourne and Cross have yet to share a scene in the franchise, and while The Bourne Legacy certainly isn't the best film in the series, it would be interesting to see the two characters cross paths in the upcoming project.

Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross in The Bourne Legacy

Alicia Vikander made her first (and only) appearance as Heather Lee in Jason Bourne, but she still left quite an impression on viewers. Lee was the Head of the CIA's Cyber Ops Division, and her true intentions were a mystery throughout the movie. It wasn't until the end that the audience learned that Lee wanted to be the CIA Director and was willing to do anything (like killing the incumbent) to assume the position. Jason Bourne ended with Lee expressing the desire to bring Bourne back to the CIA, and if he refused, she would just kill him. Bourne recorded the conversation, and what happened next is up for interpretation (until, hopefully, the sixth film). Vikander's character would make for a great primary antagonist, after all.

Aaron Cross running in The Bourne Legacy

Aside from Bourne and Nicky Parsons, Pamela Landy, played by Joan Allen, is the most consistent character in the Bourne film series. She was introduced in the second movie — The Bourne Supremacy — and starred in the next two installments — The Bourne Ultimatum and The Bourne Legacy. Landy was the Deputy Director of the CIA hunting Bourne in the second film (but was under false pretenses due to a frame job). Over time, Landy and Bourne became allies, and she testified in the Senate, exposing Treadstone and Blackbriar. Landy had a small but significant role in The Bourne Legacy when Blackbriar supervisor Noah Vosen told the Senate that the program was solely created to locate Bourne. In doing so, Vosen accused Landy of lying and claimed she committed treason by helping Bourne. Unfortunately, Landy's fate is unknown, but that could be cleared up if Allen returns in Bourne 6.

Aaron Cross holding up two weapons in The Bourne Legacy

Potential New Developments

Rachel Weisz debuted as Dr. Marta Shearing in the Bourne franchise in The Bourne Legacy. Dr. Shearing was a virologist working on the Outcome project in the fourth movie, and she was the only scientist in the program to survive Dr. Donald Foite's attack. When other assassins tried to kill Dr. Shearing, Cross swooped in and saved her. The two worked together for the rest of the film, so if Cross returns in Bourne 6, it makes sense if so did Dr. Shearing.

Jason Bourne (2016) - Alicia Vikander and Tommy Lee Jones

The Bourne Legacy contained a lot of star power — Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, and Edward Norton. Norton portrayed Colonel Eric Byer, the Director of the National Research Assay Group, an agency in the Department of Defense. Byer was the one who ordered the hits on those associated with Outcome to avoid external investigations into Treadstone. The movie ended with no concrete resolution (or justice) for Byer, so Norton reprising his villainous role in Bourne 6 could clear up some holes in the franchise.

Potential New Developments

Of course, every past (alive) villain in the Bourne franchise likely won't appear in the upcoming movie, but one can dream. Noah Vosen, played by David Strathairn, is probably one of the most significant antagonists in the series, so it wouldn't be surprising if he made an appearance. Vosen is a CIA operative and the director of Operation Blackbriar, and he wanted Bourne dead more than anybody, especially after Vosen was arrested at the end of The Bourne Supremacy. He returned in the fourth film when he stood on trial for his crimes, and although the verdict wasn't revealed, it was implied that Vosen was acquitted.

Rachel Weisz in The Bourne Legacy