Director-screenwriter Tony Gilroy (“Duplicity,” “Michael Clayton”) revealed some interesting details about the upcoming installment in the hugely successful “Bourne” franchise to Hollywood Elsewhere.   The most surpising among them, and possibly the most dismaying for fans of the series is that Jason Bourne will not be the film’s hero.

The reason?  Although “The Bourne Legacy” takes its title from Robert Ludlum’s book, it “will not use the story,” says Gilroy.  “It’s a completely original screenplay.”

“This is not a reboot or a recast or a prequel. No one’s replacing Matt Damon. There will be a whole new hero, a whole new chapter…this is a stand-alone project.  The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal,” Gilroy said.  “Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he’s very much alive. What happened in the first three films is the trigger for what happens. I’m building a legend and an environment and a wider conspiracy…the world we’re making enhances and advances and invites Jason Bourne’s return.”

And for those worried about continuity and the coherence of the established world of Bourne, Gilroy had this to say:

“Everything you saw in the first three films actually happened, and everyone who got into it will be rewarded for paying attention. We’re going to show you the bigger picture, the bigger canvas. When you see what we’re going and see what we’re doing it’ll be pretty obvious….but Jason Bourne’s actvities in the first three films is the immediate trigger.”