'Bourne 5' release date, cast & plot: Matt Damon talks storyline & why he came back

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Matt Damon has shared a few details about the plot of his upcoming movie, "Bourne 5" and why it has taken nearly a decade for him to reprise his most prominent role.

The 44-year-old actor sat down with BuzzFeed News, while promoting the release of his latest movie, "The Martian," and ended up saying quite a bit about "Bourne 5" instead.

According to Comicbook Movie, Damon said the eight-year sabbatical from the Bourne series was due to one unanswered question: "What does Jason Bourne have left to say?"

The Academy Award winner explained that he and director Paul Greengrass had actually discussed the possibility of another Bourne film after "Ultimatum" over the years, but had never found a real reason for a fifth Bourne film until recently.

Damon said the first three Bourne films were closely related to the political atmosphere during the Bush administration, reports Esquire.

"[Director Paul Greengrass and I] always looked at [the Bourne] movies as really about the Bush presidency, and so we kind of had to wait for the world to change," Damon told BuzzFeed.

He then reveals that "Bourne 5" will focus on a pose-Snowden world, referring to Edward Snowden. According to Biography, Snowden was a computer programmer, who used to work for the National Security Agency in the United States.

While working for the NSA, Snowden uncovered some confidential documents, which he found disturbing. The documents apparently revealed how the US government was keeping tabs on American citizens through phone taps and real-time surveillance on the Internet.

After collecting enough information, Snowden fled the States and gave the documents to journalists in Hong Kong, who released the information to the public.

Matt Damon explained that due to Snowden's actions, a big change has occurred in America. The kind of change can be shown through a "Bourne 5" movie.

"Without giving too much of it away, it's Bourne through an austerity-riddled Europe and in a post-Snowden world. It seems like enough has changed, you know? There are all these kinds of arguments about spying and civil liberties and the nature of democracy."

According to Comicbook Movie, "Bourne 5" will premiere on July 29, 2016. Julia Stiles will be reprising her role as ex-CIA agent Nicky Parsons, but will not be the main female character.

Instead, the female lead will be played by Alicia Vikander, from "Ex-Machina." Tommy Lee Jones will also be joining the case, playing a high-ranking CIA agent.