HBO didn't renew 'Project Greenlight,' Damon says
By LINDSEY BAHR, Associated Press
Jul 26, 2016 4:04 PM CDT
In this July 25, 2016 photo, actor Matt Damon poses for a portrait in Los Angeles to promote his latest film, "Jason Bourne." (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)   (Associated Press)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — "Project Greenlight" won't be getting a fifth season on HBO.

Matt Damon told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he was shocked that HBO didn't pick up his and Ben Affleck's show, which chronicles the production of an independent film.

"I really liked it and thought that the show went great," Damon said while promoting the latest "Jason Bourne" film. "I'm not one to question (their programming). They do such a great job. But we have to take it out again."

Damon says that that they'll start shopping the show around, and he thinks that a streaming service like Amazon or Netflix might be a good fit.

"There are places where I think we could do really well," he said.

"Project Greenlight" aired on HBO for its first two seasons from 2001 to 2003, before moving to Bravo for season three in 2005. The show came back to HBO for a fourth season last year to much buzz and some controversy starting with Damon's comments regarding diversity, for which he later apologized.

The show this past season, which was centered on the production of director Jason Mann's dark parlor comedy "The Leisure Class," became a cultural touchpoint.

Even in production, it already seemed like a relic of a different era, with its white male director focusing on wealthy, mainly white characters at a time when diversity and representation in film were in the spotlight more than ever. Producer Effie Brown became a breakout star of the season, providing fascinating insight and commentary week to week on those issues while also overseeing the production of the film.

HBO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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