The Ludlum Bourne Identity novel was written in 1980 and made into a TV movie starring Richard Chamberlain in 1988. Now, amnesiac Bourne resurfaces as Matt Damon. No wonder the poor guy has an identity crisis. Scenes were added and re-written until Matt probably wondered who HE was. The Bourne Identity is Damon's first action hero role. When we talked to him, he compared his spy experience to buddy Ben Affleck's in Sum of All Fears, talked about the physical demands of the part, starring in a play and the news that he and Affleck's Project Greenlight for new screenwriters will open again in July. Matt and friends plan to throw Ben a big 30th birthday party. We chuckled at the fact that Matt, in black shirt, white tee and jeans, was wearing exactly the same outfit as Ben was when we recently interviewed him.

Teenhollywood: Did you and Ben Affleck compare spy notes?

Matt: No, we didn't. The characters are in different fields, so they wouldn't cross paths in Washington.

Teenhollywood: Is Bourne tougher that Jack Ryan?

Matt: (laughing) Oh, without a doubt.

Teenhollywood: Is that movie's CIA more real than this movie's?

Matt: I can't give you a real educated idea of what day-to-day life at the CIA is. Ben actually went there and visited, spent a day there. I think my character is certainly not the guy who ever spent any time in Langley anyway. I think this is someone who's more freelance.