The Bourne Legacy (2012)
- Before Jeremy Renner was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
- Tony Gilroy originally wanted a completely different ending for the film, but test audiences preferred the one we see today.
- Many of the practical effects used in the climax were achieved without any CGI.
The Bourne Legacy is a 2012 American action thriller directed by Tony Gilroy, expanding the Bourne franchise beyond Jason Bourne. Jeremy Renner stars as Aaron Cross, an operative in a parallel CIA program called Operation Outcome who must fight for survival when the program's directors, led by Edward Norton's Colonel Eric Byer, decide to terminate all field agents to protect their secrets in the wake of Bourne's exposure of Treadstone and Blackbriar. Cross partners with Dr.
Marta Shearing, played by Rachel Weisz, a research scientist who developed the program's performance-enhancing medications and is also targeted for elimination. Tony Gilroy, who had written all three previous Bourne screenplays, brought a more cerebral, conspiracy-focused approach to his directorial entry, though some audiences missed the kinetic intensity of Paul Greengrass's direction and Matt Damon's presence. The Manila chase sequence was the film's action highlight.
The Bourne Legacy earned $276 million worldwide on a $125 million budget.
