Since the explosive debut of the Bourne trilogy, starring Matt Damon, a slew of lackluster imitations have emerged, conveniently relegating this gritty action franchise to the archives of its era. Moreover, it shoulders the blame for the surge of disorienting shaky-cam thrillers that followed.
Yet, when considered in isolation and freed from the ambient clamor, these films exhibit remarkable endurance. Beyond the surface perception of headache-inducing camera work, frenetic editing, and seemingly gratuitous violence, a closer inspection unveils the brilliance concealed within the orchestrated chaos inherent in the production of the Matt Damon-led action spectacles.
How Did The Filmmakers Get The Desired Shot
Jason Bourne’s expansive journey in The Bourne Supremacy spans the sun-drenched shores of Goa, India, to the icy pathways of Moscow, Russia—a location presenting formidable trials for the production team. The film’s climactic car chase unfolds in Moscow, pitting Bourne against his malevolent adversary Kirill (Karl Urban), the very assassin responsible for Marie’s earlier demise (Franka Potente).
During an insightful conversation with GQ, Urban divulged that the production of the climactic chase sequence for the film’s final act necessitated some unconventional maneuvers:
“That Moscow car chase, we shot a huge portion of it in Russia, we shot some of it in Berlin, but the Russian stuff was incredible. The production had to pay the local cops to shut off roads, so we could shoot it. For whatever reason, we didn’t get the permit to shoot, so we were going around Moscow, literally stealing shots. We’d have one cop on a bike, and he would literally walk out into the street, hold his hand up, stop the traffic, and go, ‘Okay, go.’ And I’m in a seven series BMW and I’m flooring it, really sort of cowboy sort of stuff. But that’s how we were getting the shots.”
The outcome undeniably matches the extent to which the crew went to execute these daring feats.
Vincent Cassel Did Not Take Matt Damon’s Expensive Deal
While the memory is likely etched in Damon’s mind, his ability to elicit laughter from the audience remains a hallmark. Adding to the mix, Vincent Cassel, once married to Monica Bellucci, transitioned from a professional fighter to a successful actor.
Appearing alongside Matt Damon in Jason Bourne, Vincent Cassel advised Damon to uphold his end of the bargain. However, the question lingers: what exactly does this deal entail?
“So my deal with them, it started on the first movie. I told the first guy that I fought with in The Bourne Identity, that, for every time I accidentally punch you in the face, I’ll buy you a bottle of champagne. And the guy was a professional kickboxer from France, so he was like, ‘This is a very good deal for me.’ So I owed him a case of champagne, that’s 12 bottles. So, in this one, I fight Vincent Cassel, the great French actor. He is a talented martial artist, and he had no interest in my champagne. He was like, ‘Matt, just do not hit me in the face,'” Damon told James Corden.
Matt Damon reprised his role in Jason Bourne in 2016. The Bourne Supremacy is available for streaming on Peacock.
Also Read: “The ‘f-slur for a homosexual’”: Matt Damon’s Homophobic Confession Left Jason Bourne Fans Pissed
Source: GQ
