Summary
- Jason Bourne and Aaron Cross have similarities but also key differences due to their different experiences and origins.
- Cross is chemically-enhanced with genetic alterations, giving him physical advantages and the ability to suppress pain.
- While Bourne has strong moral lines, he sometimes breaks his "no killing" rule for survival, while Cross has a more refined fighting style and the ability to pick and choose his fights.
The Jason Bourne film series has seen two key protagonists across the five installments, two action-packed heroes, who differ in many ways. The fourth film, The Bourne Legacy, follows Jeremy Ranner's character Aaron Cross, who took over as the main character of the franchise after Matt Damon's Jason Bourne didn't return. Although similarities between the two men, who are best known by audiences for their military precision and ability to keep calm in a crisis, the two characters have very key differences.
Matt Damon didn't return to the Jason Bourne series upon the announcement that director Paul Greengrass would also not return, with audiences wondering what happened to Jason Bourne after the original triology. As a result, Jeremy Ranner was cast to replace Damon as the lead for the fourth film. Both Greengrass and Damon did eventually return, however, for the final entry of the series in 2016, entitled Jason Bourne. Jason Bourne and Aaron Cross have their similarities, but at a closer look, their similar experiences resulted in several key differences between the two.
8 Aaron Cross Is Chemically-Enhanced In The Bourne Legacy
Following Bourne's exposure of Operation Treadstone and Operation Blackbriar, Aaron Cross finds himself on the run, a previous member of Operation Outcome, which resulted in his own genetic enhancement. It has been implied that Operation Outcome was designed to combat the side effects and issues experienced by Jason Bourne in Operation Treadstone, including anger and sensitivity to light. The experimentation left Cross with two altered chromosomes, which left him with the ability to suppress pain and enhanced physical performance, among others on a long list of genetically altered changes.
7 Jason Bourne Has More Moral Lines & Rules
The Jason Bourne series saw Bourne be brainwashed and conditioned into the character audiences came to know, thanks to Operation Treadstone. The mental anguish left behind a moral standpoint for Bourne, to the point that he refuses to shoot a dictator because there are children present. This action leads to the CIA believing he was a traitor and attempt to kill him, but as a result of this loses his memory, bringing him to the events of The Bourne Identity. Despite his strong morals, there are times Jason Bourne breaks his "no killing" rule, purely for survival.
6 Jason Bourne Is Stealthier Than Aaron Cross
Previous to the Jason Bourne series, Jason Bourne was born David Webb, a U.S. Army Special Forces agent. His time in the army lead to incredible physical ability, and as he was used to being in the field, made him significantly stealthier than his other operatives. Webb then eventually made his way to Captain, before ing the CIA, allowing him to exercise these skills even more so. Although Aaron Cross also served in the military, he was declared dead while still a Private, before being transferred to Operation Outcome. Despite the chemical alterations to Cross, he hadn't had as much experience in the field as Bourne did.
5 Aaron Cross' Fighting Style Trumps Jason Bourne
Due to the genetic elements, Cross' fighting style differs to Bourne's. His reflexes are much sharper, resulting in much more accurate hand-to-hand combat, as he essentially relies on muscle memory to fight back. The chemicals running through his body allow for a much higher level of awareness for Cross, making it easier for him to not only deal with an attack when it happens, but also make a quick escape if needed. Not only can Cross fight as well as Bourne can, but also can pick and choose when he wants to fight, within reason.
4 Aaron Cross Isn't Plagued By The Past, Like Jason Bourne
Jason Bourne's arrival at Operation Treadstone came following the death of his father, who died in Lebanon while working for the CIA. His father's death was covered up as a terrorist attack by the CIA, who used the opportunity to compel Bourne into ing Treadstone, to become an assassin. Although he spends most of the franchise escaping the CIA, his father's death still greatly effects him, even if he doesn't it due to his ongoing amnesia. The amnesia is a side effect of Treadstone for Bourne, that torments him throughout the series, and at times, motivates him.
3 Jason Bourne Was On a Journey Of Self-Discovery
After twelve years of hiding, Jason Bourne resurfaces in the fifth and final film of the series of the same name. Having spent the first three films battling with amnesia while on the run from the CIA, Bourne was always left with unanswered questions about who he really was. Unaware of who he was before Treadstone, in Jason Bourne, he finally learns of his origins and tracks down the CIA to confront them on his father's death. Bourne's lack of identity is a prominent part of the character throughout, and without really realizing it, spends the franchise on a journey of self-discovery.
2 Treadstone and Outcome Were Very Different Programs
Following Operations Treadstone and Blackbriar, Operation Outcome was created. Although it was implied that the latter was created to help combat the issues experienced by agents in the first two, the main difference was that Outcome influenced agents' abilities to talk their way out of a fight, rather than using physical force. Operation Outcome is also the only one of the three projects that wasn't created and run by the CIA, but instead of brainwashing agents like Treadstone did, used harsh chemical intervention to alter the operatives.
1 Aaron Cross Has The Gift Of The Gab
The effects of Operation Outcome can clearly be seen in Aaron Cross' characterization. Unlike Bourne, Cross has a certain charm about him and uses it to get himself out of difficult situations. Aaron Cross is trained in multiple languages, and his high intelligence allows him to improvise tactically. However, Cross fears the loss of his intellect without the continuation of chemical intervention, and that if it wears off, he'll lose his mind altogether. Despite this, he uses his skills of persuasion to bluff his way into closed-off areas and to slip away from fights.
