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Jason Bourne director reveals why he turned down helming James Bond film after being asked
Paul Greengrass was in the running to helm a 007 film more than two decades ago.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures / Columbia Pictures
- Patrick Cremona
Published: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 12:00 am
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Filmmaker Paul Greengrass remains best known for his work on the Jason Bourne franchise – but the director once came close to helming a film in an even more iconic spy series.
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After the huge success of The Bourne Supremacy in 2004, Greengrass had been sounded out about the possibility of directing a James Bond film, although he ultimately turned down the opportunity.
Reflecting on that moment during a recent appearance on The Rest Is Classified podcast, he explained why he had decided against switching from Bourne to 007.
"I have immense admiration and respect for what [former producers] Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson did with that," he said. "And Daniel [Craig], you know, was a fantastic James Bond.
"But it's a bit like if you play for Manchester United, you can't sign for Man City, you know? You wouldn't feel right about that. You feel loyal. I do. I'm a Bourne guy."
Paul Greengrass. Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
After The Bourne Supremacy, Greengrass made a further two films in the franchise – 2007's The Bourne Ultimatum and 2016's Jason Bourne – while his other hit movies include United 93 and Captain Phillips.
Meanwhile, it was often remarked upon that Casino Royale – the Bond film he would presumably have directed – was very much inspired by the gritty style he'd applied to the Bourne films.
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Greengrass's most recent film was The Uprising, an action thriller about the 1381 Peasant's Revolt starring Andrew Garfield – but it sounds like he'd like to return to the espionage genre in the not too distant future.
"It's making me think I need to go and make a spy movie," he said of the discussion about Bond. "That's honestly, truly what I'm thinking as I say it."
Watch this space!
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Authors
Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer
Patrick Cremona is the Senior Film Writer at Radio Times, and looks after all the latest film releases both in cinemas and on streaming. He has been with the website since October 2019, and in that time has interviewed a host of big name stars and reviewed a diverse range of movies.
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