Duane Granston never planned to write a romcom. But when a years-old joke about a Jason Bourne reboot collided with a question about what his main character actually wanted, Finding Matt Damon was born — and it’s making its Fringe debut as a staged reading, the first screenplay ever featured at Scranton Fringe.
Finding Matt Damon, an original screenplay directed by Dan, gets a reading at Black Scranton Project on Saturday, October 10 at 3:00 PM, as part of the Wilkes University Maslow Program Reading and Taking Up Space. We talked to Duane about lovesick software engineers, the vulnerability of writing flawed characters, and what it means to finally feel seen.
In your own words, what is your show about?
Finding Matt Damon is about learning to discover that you are enough. Despite your fear, when you’re brave enough to embrace it, you’ll find that people are just desperately waiting for the real you to show up.
This premise is explored in my screenplay through the eyes of Sean, a lovesick software engineer who falls for a gorgeous screenwriter, Jasmine. To one-up a rival, he attempts to impress her by pretending to know Matt Damon. This backfires when she finishes her script idea for a Jason Bourne reboot that she would love to have the movie star read. Sean enlists the help of his best friend Miles, an aspiring media executive, and what follows is a series of increasingly chaotic attempts to track down the celebrity across Los Angeles.
What sparked this piece?
There are a couple of pieces to this. The first was probably almost a decade ago, sometime after the last Jason Bourne movie had come and gone from theaters. I jokingly said to a friend, “Hey, did you hear about the next Jason Bourne movie?” My friend, who is as big a fan as I am, looked at me eagerly as if to say, “Tell me more.” I paused just long enough for the tension to build, then I said “Yeah, Jason Bourne gets saved. It’s called Bourne Again.”
My friend got a laugh out of it and I ended up tucking that away. I always thought it might be fun to write a story about a guy who has this great new idea for a Jason Bourne reboot but he can’t get it made because of all the legal rights issues involved, so he goes on this crazy adventure to try and break the system and get this movie made anyway, a passion project for him. I sat on that though.
Fast forward several years, when I decided to seriously study screenwriting, I revisited that thought. I did not have my heart set on writing a romcom. I never thought that was something I would or could do. As I was pondering the idea for my thesis project though, I realized I didn’t feel like I had strong enough motivation for the character to pursue this goal. Back then, he was just a guy who wanted to make a movie. But why? What’s at stake for him? Then it occurred to me, what if it’s not his movie? What if he meets the love of his life and he wants to help her make her dream come true because he thinks that will help him win her heart? That’s when I got excited and thought, yeah, let’s go!
Things evolved from there and it eventually became the story and script it is now, which I hope shows the complexities of human nature and the ridiculousness we can get into when we are driven by insecurity.
It doesn’t appear in the script, but I did build out a whole story and outline of Jasmine’s Jason Bourne movie idea. I believe Bourne Again is a fun title for rebooting that franchise. The marketing folks might not love the play on words, but it speaks to the character entering a new and unexpected phase of his life and journey, full of all the classic fun things we’re used to from the franchise. I genuinely think it is a good idea, and who knows, maybe one day I could pitch it to NBCUniversal, who currently owns the rights.
What does “Fringe” mean to you as an artist?
When I hear Fringe it makes me think avant-garde, something exciting and maybe a little off the beaten path. I visualize this movie in a way that fits that bill.
What do you want someone to feel — or think about differently — after seeing your show?
The premise I shared, about finding your genuine voice, is something I have learned in my own growth journey. As someone who has struggled with depression in my life, I wasn’t always able to present my full self because it didn’t feel safe or acceptable. I learned to wear the mask and become a chameleon. Eventually though, that is not sustainable. Thankfully, I have learned some things along the way and I now sit more comfortably in my own skin. I hope to tell more stories that make people laugh and feel their feelings, but most importantly I want to write stories that help people feel seen. I think that’s all anyone really wants.
After this reading, and hopefully one day after people see the movie on the big screen, I want them to walk away with feelings of love and joy after watching these characters fall in love. I also want them to feel inspired to pursue their dreams, that’s another theme in the movie, about not settling and waiting, but going for it. And finally, I want them to feel safe to take the risk of being vulnerable with the people around them and stop hiding behind doubt, fear, and insecurity, because people really want to know and love the real you, if you’ll let them.
What’s been the hardest or most surprising part of making this?
I think the hardest part of this creation process has been the vulnerability required to create well rounded characters. I find myself connecting with different parts of every character, for better or worse. I think we all prefer to always see ourselves in the best light, so it can be humbling when you realize through watching a character struggle that you too may not be the hero you imagined you were.
Anything else you want people to know before they walk in?
I am thrilled to participate in the Scranton Fringe Festival, my first Fringe experience ever! I also think this is the first screenplay to be featured at this Fringe, so that is an honor. I hope everyone enjoys the show and it makes them want to see the movie.
Catch the reading of Finding Matt Damon at Black Scranton Project on Saturday, October 10 at 3:00 PM, as part of the 2026 Scranton Fringe Festival. Buy tickets here.
