It’s been four years since the last Jason Bourne movie. Except that Jason Bourne wasn’t in that one. At least “The Bourne Legacy’’ had his name in the title.
Jeremy Renner, that most manful of movie stars, did his manful best to sustain the Matt Damon-starring franchise.
Did Renner succeed? The fact that “Jason Bourne’’ opens Friday, with Damon back as everyone’s favorite memory-monkeyed-with killing machine, indicates the answer is no.
So it’s a good time to look back at the four movies whose titles feature novelist Robert Ludlum’s paranoid-thriller paragon.
The Bourne Identity 2002
Itinerary: Marseille, Zurich, Paris, Mykonos
In pursuit: Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles
Helping out: Franka Potente
Memorable mode of transport: Italian fishing boat
Highlight: Chase through Paris with Damon at wheel of Austin Mini Cooper
The Bourne Supremacy 2004
Itinerary: Goa, Naples, Munich, Berlin, Moscow, New York
In pursuit: Brian Cox, Karl Urban
Helping out: Julia Stiles, Joan Allen
Memorable mode of transport: Volga 3110 taxi
Highlight: Chase through Moscow with Damon at wheel of taxi
The Bourne Ultimatum 2007
Itinerary: Moscow, Paris, London, Madrid, Tangier, New York
In pursuit: David Straithairn, Scott Glenn, Albert Finney
Helping out: Julia Stiles, Joan Allen
Memorable mode of transport: Honda Cota 4RT motorcycle
Highlight: Chase through Tangier with Damon on the Honda
The Bourne Legacy 2012
Itinerary: Alaska, Maryland, Manila
In pursuit: Scott Glenn, Edward Norton
Helping out: Rachel Weisz, Oscar Isaac
Memorable mode of transport: Honda CRF 450 X motorcycle
Highlight: Chase through Manila with Renner on the Honda
By Mark Feeney | Globe Staff
Mark Feeney can be reached at mfeeney@globe.com.