Not many spy thrillers have longevity like The Bourne Identity. Not only is it a popular book, but it inspired five blockbuster films, guiding Matt Damon into the ranks reserved only for former James Bond actors. Since the original movie was first released in 2002, much has changed in the cinematic landscape.
Few movies follow the conventional spy trope these days that had garnered success for half a century in Hollywood. Now it takes more than just a famous lead actor or actress to generate profits. But just who would be a great recast for a modern Jason Bourne film?
Jason Bourne: Chris Pratt
While Matt Damon did a fantastic job as the leading protagonist, he has aged quite a bit since 2002. The one remarkable detail about Matt Damon is his ability to thrive in serious roles, while also having an award-winning wit about him.
Chris Pratt would be a popular candidate to recast him, as he has proven himself as an action hero and has that same wit and Hollywood good looks to draw fans to the theaters. Not to mention he is young enough to be able to manage a series of Jason Bourne films.
Marie Kreutz: India Eisley
While German actress Franka Potente played an excellent accomplice and girlfriend to Jason Bourne in the first two films, her role would have to be recast with a younger actress. A great replacement would be India Eisley, who is in her early 20s and already has a considerable amount of experience as an actress. She is also stunningly beautiful and capable of portraying any role given to her with the utmost of ease.
She is a proven commodity after portraying lead characters in the movie Headspace and in the television series The Secret Life of the American Teenager.
Alexander Conklin: Robert Patrick
Chris Cooper just knows how to play a great antagonist and did so in The Bourne Identity, but if he has to be replaced as the main antagonist of the film, a good alternative would be another actor who has the acting chops and knowhow to maintain the right amount of likability to go along with the deceit and destruction that makes an antagonist great.
Robert Patrick has played numerous villains in the past, including in Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Die Hard 2 and Double Dragon. So this part would be right up his alley.
The Professor: Christian Bale
Clive Owen is one of those ageless actors who could retake his role as The Professor in The Bourne Identity and run with it, but for the sake of argument, Christian Bale would be ripe for the part.
Christian Bale has shown throughout his career that he can take on any role and make it his own. He has a flare for the dramatic and isn't afraid to push the limits. What better actor to replace Clive Owen than a man of similar age and similar acting ability. Not to mention, he retains a large fanbase.
Ward Abbott: Benecio Del Toro
While he might not be the same age as Brian Cox was when he played Ward Abbott, that doesn't mean Benecio del Toro wouldn't fit into the role perfectly.
Even if they had to age his character 10 years, it still wouldn't matter, as del Toro has played characters older and younger than his actual age before. He's a fabulous actor who, despite his age, is still hitting his prime as an action star.
Nykwanna Wombosi: Forest Whitaker
The perfect fit here would have been recasting Adewale Akinnouoye-Agbaje with the late, great character actor, Chadwick Boseman. Sadly, that is no longer an option, so the next best actor to take over this role would be Forest Whitaker.
Whitaker is one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood, who can make fans laugh and cry at the same moment. He has played a similarly villainous African dictator in the past, like Nykwanna Wombosi, and did so superbly. His acting style and ability would be perfect for a modern-day version of Wombosi.
Danny Zorn: Cory Michael Smith
While actors or actresses of updated film series do not always have to look like the same people they are replacing, it doesn't hurt when filling someone else's shoes. Gabriel Mann did a superb job as Abbott's underling in The Bourne Identity and someone like Cory Michael Smith could easily be a nice replacement for Mann.
After all, he does look fairly similar to Mann and made a name for himself playing the same kind of nerdy but villainous character as Zorn during his time as Edward Nygma on Fox's Gotham.
Nicky Parsons: Aubrey Plaza
Julia Stiles made her name as being the beautiful outcast in 90s teen movies. Aubrey Plaza has taken a similar route during her time on Parks and Recreation, playing the anti-social April Ludgate.
Their acting styles are similar, as well, as neither tends to show much emotion onscreen, but that somehow plays to their benefit as it makes their characters feel different and more real than characters who steal the show with their acting abilities. An updated The Bourne Identity would benefit from having her as Nicky Parsons.
Giancarlo: Franco Nero
Fans often forget the character actors that make a good movie great. These actors or actresses might not receive the fame or glory that the main stars receive for their roles in Hollywood blockbusters, but that doesn't mean they are not essential. Orso Maria Guerrini's part as Giancarlo the Italian fisherman, who found Jason Bourne and nursed him back to health, played a crucial role in furthering the story.
Franco Nero, another underrated Italian character actor that has worked in Hollywood for half a century would fit like a glove in this small but important role.
Castel: Adrien Brody
When it comes to newer Hollywood blockbusters, it isn't out of the ordinary for popular actors or actresses to take on smaller roles in these films. After all, a paycheck is a paycheck and a role in a Hollywood blockbuster looks great on a resume.
As far as the assassin Castel, Adrien Brody would be perfect for this role, as he has a similar appearance as the former actor who played Castel and he also has the acting chops required to pull off a memorable fight scene.