‘Jason Bourne’ Rights Head Back To Universal

It looks like Jason Bourne hasn’t thrown his last punch at the studio he’s called home for over two decades. Following an extensive auction, NBCUniversal has acquired all rights, excluding publishing, to Robert Ludlum’s revered Jason Bourne and Treadstone book series, in perpetuity, the company said Wednesday. The deal fortifies the future of the Bourne franchise across the NBCU universe, paving the way for new installments and a continued legacy for Ludlum’s beloved character and the spy world he inhabits.

“Since its debut in 2002, the iconic Bourne franchise has reshaped the spy genre with groundbreaking films that set new standards for cinematic action,” said Peter Cramer, President, Universal Pictures. “We’re energized to continue expanding the Bourne universe into the future with exciting new stories for global audiences.” 

Sources tell Deadline that the earlier this year, the Ludlum estate took the rights back out market after they had lapsed at the studio, with plans to hold an auction. WME ran point on the process and sources say there were seven offers in for rights, including two from streamers, one from another major studio and a few entrepreneurial ventures. After bringing the proposal back to Universal, the studio matched it with what insiders are describing as a “very large deal.”

“We are thrilled that the Bourne franchise will remain at Universal,” said Jeffrey Weiner, Chairman & CEO of Captivate Entertainment and the executor of Ludlum’s estate. “We look forward to working with the Universal team to expand the Bourne franchise across Universal’s varied platforms.”

With this new agreement, longtime Universal collaborator and storied producer Frank Marshall will continue to shepherd forthcoming installments of the film series, as he has from the beginning, along with Captivate’s Jeffrey Weiner and Ben Smith. Captivate has managed the rights for the Ludlum estate since 2001.

Deadline broke the news that Ed Berger would be coming on to develop a new Bourne film with Matt Damon potentially returning to reprise his role. Insiders now say they have a script from Joe Barton, but as of now the film is not greenlit and remains in development.

Universal has released five Bourne films in the critically acclaimed and commercially successful franchise, including four starring Damon: The Bourne Identity, directed by Doug Liman; Paul Greengrass’ The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, and Jason Bourne; as well as the Jeremy Renner-starring spinoff The Bourne Legacy, directed by Tony Gilroy. The films have collectively grossed more than $1.64 billion at the global box office.

The franchise also reaches across the NBCUniversal enterprise with Bourne-themed video games and merchandise, as well as a Universal Studios Orlando theme park activation “The Bourne Stuntactular.”

The rights deal was brokered by WME, which represents Captivate. Some of the other authors the agency reps include Tom Clancy, Dan Brown, George R.R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson and Sarah J. Maas.