Bourne in Missouri

Near the end of The Bourne Supremacy, Matt Damon’s amnesiac-superspy character, Jason Bourne, learns that his real name is David Webb and that he was born in Nixa, Missouri. The Department of Burnt Ends had forgotten all about this nod to the small southwestern Missouri town until catching The Bourne Ultimatum last weekend. Sensing a local story, we called up the mayor of Nixa, Doug Marrs, to chat about his town’s silver-screen salute.

Burnt Ends: I don’t know if he’s the most famous person from Nixa, but might he be?

Doug Marrs: Obviously, when the first movie came out, The Bourne Identity, where it said Nixa, Missouri, we were curious how that happened. We believe it has to do with a relationship with Brad Pitt.

How’s that work?

Well, Brad’s folks live right down next to Nixa. Matt Damon and Brad Pitt are apparently friends. And Brad, one of his movies actually premiered down here. And his family keeps the relationship incredibly low-key. I’ve actually tried to contact the studio and ask, “Just tell me how it is, because I’ve had enough questions that it would be a good thing to know.” It’s not like they called us and asked. It just kind of came out.

You haven’t been able to get any answers?

No, and I haven’t bothered Brad’s family to ask, either. And obviously, we try not to cross over that line.

What do you think of the film series?

Personally, I enjoy it. My wife won’t go see it because it’s not her type of show. For our community, how often does a small town get that kind of publicity? So are you going to be putting up “Nixa: Home of Jason Bourne” signs?

Probably not.

Are you going to see it?

The first opportunity I get I will.

Gonna leave the wife at home?

Absolutely.