LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Amnesiac assassin Jason Bourne is being brought out of retirement for a fourth film in the successful "Bourne Identity" franchise, entertainment industry press reported Friday.
Daily Variety reported that Hollywood studio Universal had initially planned to shelve the action series based on Robert Ludlum's books and starring Matt Damon, following last year's third film, "The Bourne Ultimatum."
But the success of the 2007 film -- which grossed more than 440 million dollars worldwide -- persuaded Universal to perform a U-turn, Variety reported.
The fourth film will again see Damon in the starring role, and Oscar-nominated British film-maker Paul Greengrass, who shot the second and third instalments, will direct again.
The "Bourne" films have grossed a total of 950 million since the first film, "The Bourne Identity," was released in 2002.
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