Jason Bourne Rights Land With Universal — Joe Barton Has Written A Script For Potential Movie

It would appear that Universal's spy saga love affair is, *ahem*, Bourne again! Yes, after learning back in March that the rights to Robert Ludlum's Jason Bourne books had left the studio — news that came hot on the heels of James Bond's Amazon reassignment — it looks like Ludlum's amnesiac assassin isn't going anywhere after all. Per Deadline's reporting, NBCUniversal has fended off rival bidders to lock down the rights to the Jason Bourne books (and Ludlum's Treadstone series) in perpetuity, ensuring the studio's two-decade spanning relationship with the franchise won't be ending anytime soon. And, what's more, there's already a director and writer in place for a potential new Bourne movie.

As you may recall, way back in November 2023 we reported that Edward Berger was looking to follow up the Oscar and BAFTA-winning success of All Quiet On The Western Front with a new Jason Bourne movie. In the years since, amid Berger having gone on to make Conclave and the upcoming Ballad Of A Small Player and the aforementioned Universal rights issue, it seemed that any Berger Bourne plans were dead in the water. But, buried in Deadline's story on Universal's rights retention, there's confirmation that not only does Berger's movie — which could potentially bring Matt Damon back to the franchise — remain in development, but it's even got a script from none other than Black Doves and The Lazarus Project creator Joe Barton, a man who certainly knows a thing or two about writing kinetic, action-packed spy thrillers.

Now, it is important to clarify that at this point, any potential Jason Bourne movie involving Berger and Barton remains entirely in the developmental stage — nothing has been given a green light as of yet. Even so, despite having had five Bourne movies, Bourne video games, and even a Universal Studios stunt show dedicated to the forgetful fugitive, the prospect of seeing the character back on our screens after more than a decade away gives us a buzz we won't be forgetting anytime soon. Jason (Re)Bourne — coming soon to a cinema near you... hopefully!