Jason Bourne is officially staying in the Universal family—and a new film is already in the works. NBCUniversal has struck a major deal to acquire all rights—excluding publishing—to Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne and Treadstone book series in perpetuity. The agreement ensures the spy franchise’s long-term future under the studio’s umbrella, with plans for fresh installments and expanded storytelling across its platforms.
Universal Pictures President Peter Cramer praised the series’ impact, noting how the Bourne films have redefined the spy genre since The Bourne Identity debuted in 2002. The studio now intends to push the franchise forward with “exciting new stories for global audiences.”
This deal follows a heated bidding war earlier this year after the Ludlum estate reclaimed rights and put them up for auction. WME led the process, attracting seven offers from studios, streamers, and private ventures. Ultimately, Universal matched the top bid in what insiders describe as a “very large deal.”
Captivate Entertainment’s Jeffrey Weiner, executor of Ludlum’s estate, expressed enthusiasm about keeping the franchise at Universal, highlighting the studio’s track record with the property. Longtime Bourne producer Frank Marshall will continue to oversee future films alongside Captivate’s Weiner and Ben Smith.
Development is already underway for a new Bourne movie, with All Quiet on the Western Front director Edward Berger attached and Joe Barton penning the script. While not yet greenlit, the project could see Matt Damon return as the amnesiac spy.
What happened
NBCUniversal snagged the rights back from the Robert Ludlum estate with a fresh deal. The kicker? Joe Barton, the scribe known for “Black Doves” and “Giri/Haji,” is crafting the script.
More than a simple reboot
The last time we saw Jason Bourne, it was 2016, with Paul Greengrass at the helm and a star-studded ensemble including Alicia Vikander and Riz Ahmed.
Barton previously tried his hand at “The Batman” before stepping away and was part of a Gotham spinoff that never saw the light of day, ceding ground to “The Penguin.”
Berger’s constant whirlwind
Berger isn’t sitting still:
– The gambling thriller “Ballad of A Small Player” with Colin Farrell, coming to Netflix.
– “The Riders,” an A24 marriage drama featuring Brad Pitt.
– The time-travel romp, “The Barriers,” starring Austin Butler.
The Bourne saga spans five films, including Damon’s four outings (The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, and Jason Bourne) and the Jeremy Renner-led spinoff The Bourne Legacy. Together, the series has earned over $1.64 billion worldwide. Beyond film, Bourne’s reach extends to video games, merchandise, and Universal Orlando’s live show, The Bourne Stuntactular.
Whether or not Universal officially greenlights this, the good news is the pieces are falling into place. Stay tuned for the next chapter in Bourne’s convoluted life.
The rights deal was brokered by WME, which also represents other high-profile authors like Tom Clancy, Dan Brown, George R.R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson, and Sarah J. Maas.
