It seems to be like Jason Bourne hasn’t thrown his final punch on the studio he’s known as dwelling for over twenty years. Following an intensive public sale, NBCUniversal has acquired all rights, excluding publishing, to Robert Ludlum’s revered Jason Bourne and Treadstone e-book collection, in perpetuity, the corporate mentioned Wednesday. The deal fortifies the way forward for the Bourne franchise throughout the NBCU universe, paving the way in which for brand new installments and a continued legacy for Ludlum’s beloved character and the spy world he inhabits.
“Since its debut in 2002, the long-lasting Bourne franchise has reshaped the spy style with groundbreaking movies that set new requirements for cinematic motion,” mentioned Peter Cramer, President, Common Photos. “We’re energized to proceed increasing the Bourne universe into the long run with thrilling new tales for world audiences.”
Sources inform Deadline that the sooner this yr, the Ludlum property took the rights again out market after they’d lapsed on the studio, with plans to carry an public sale. WME ran level on the method and sources say there have been seven affords in for rights, together with two from streamers, one from one other main studio and some entrepreneurial ventures. After bringing the proposal again to Common, the studio matched it with what insiders are describing as a “very massive deal.”
“We’re thrilled that the Bourne franchise will stay at Common,” mentioned Jeffrey Weiner, Chairman & CEO of Captivate Leisure and the executor of Ludlum’s property. “We sit up for working with the Common group to broaden the Bourne franchise throughout Common’s various platforms.”
With this new settlement, longtime Common collaborator and storied producer Frank Marshall will proceed to shepherd forthcoming installments of the movie collection, as he has from the start, together with Captivate’s Jeffrey Weiner and Ben Smith. Captivate has managed the rights for the Ludlum property since 2001.
Deadline broke the information that Ed Berger can be approaching to develop a brand new Bourne movie with Matt Damon probably returning to reprise his function. Insiders now say they’ve a script from Joe Barton, however as of now the movie is just not greenlit and stays in growth.
Common has launched 5 Bourne movies within the critically acclaimed and commercially profitable franchise, together with 4 starring Damon: The Bourne Id, directed by Doug Liman; Paul Greengrass’ The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, and Jason Bourne; in addition to the Jeremy Renner-starring spinoff The Bourne Legacy, directed by Tony Gilroy. The movies have collectively grossed greater than $1.64 billion on the world field workplace.
The franchise additionally reaches throughout the NBCUniversal enterprise with Bourne-themed video video games and merchandise, in addition to a Common Studios Orlando theme park activation “The Bourne Stuntactular.”
The rights deal was brokered by WME, which represents Captivate. A few of the different authors the company reps embrace Tom Clancy, Dan Brown, George R.R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson and Sarah J. Maas.
