Jason Bourne Franchise Seeking New Home (Could Netflix Reboot the Series?)

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The popular Jason Bourne movie series is looking for a new company to handle distribution, as several contenders compete to manage the action hero’s future projects. According to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), the film rights for the Jason Bourne franchise, along with those from Robert Ludlum’s entire literary catalog, are now available for purchase since they have expired from Universal Pictures. Notable companies such as Netflix, Skydance Media, and Apple are reportedly in discussions with the Ludlum estate regarding the acquisition of the Bourne film rights. THR refers to this situation as a potential revival of the Bourne franchise, though it’s also possible that Universal could regain control over the Bourne rights once more.

After a long break in the Bourne series, with the last film being released in 2016 (Jason Bourne), the rights to make another Jason Bourne movie are now being offered to potential studios. Despite Jason Bourne earning a massive $415 million at the box office, Universal Pictures has found it difficult to plan the next Bourne adventure. This could be due in part to Matt Damon’s hesitation about reprising his role in future Bourne movies, as Damon has shown mixed feelings about coming back since Jason Bourne.

The success of “Jason Bourne” has led Universal to aim for another film in the series. However, the fact that the rights are now up for grabs suggests a possible shift in the future of the “Bourne” franchise. This could mean a move towards streaming platforms or continuing the current distribution model in theaters. Interestingly, both Netflix and Apple have shown interest in acquiring the “Bourne” franchise, which might suggest a streaming future. Yet, it’s also possible that limited theatrical runs could still be part of the plan, as is common with many of Netflix’s big original movies. Conversely, if Skydance (currently merging with Paramount Global) acquires the “Bourne” rights, or if Universal re-acquires them, it’s likely that Jason Bourne will continue to be a regular in movie theaters.

The 1980 novel titled “The Bourne Identity” by Robert Ludlum was initially transformed into a TV mini-series in 1988, starring Richard Chamberlain as Jason Bourne. Later, in 2002, Doug Liman’s film adaptation of the same name introduced Damon playing the role of the memory-lost Jason Bourne. Throughout the movie, Bourne uncovers his hidden past, learning that he is a government assassin working for the covert Operation Treadstone. The subsequent “Bourne” movies delve deeper into Bourne’s character, revealing his true identity as David Webb and depicting his mission to dismantle Operation Treadstone.

2002 saw the massive success of The Bourne Identity, and its follow-ups, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, which solidified Matt Damon as a compelling and authentic action star. This was achieved through intensive martial arts and stunt training for the film. Due to Damon’s decision not to reprise his role after Ultimatum, 2012’s The Bourne Legacy veered away from the original Bourne narrative, focusing instead on Jeremy Renner’s character Aaron Cross as a fellow assassin within the franchise. Eventually, in Jason Bourne, Damon returned to the series.

Although Universal was unable to start another “Bourne” film in time to keep the franchise’s rights from being auctioned off, the enduring popularity of the series and the interest shown by potential buyers suggest that Jason Bourne’s story is far from over. It remains unclear whether a new buyer like Netflix intends to restart the “Bourne” franchise or pick up where “Jason Bourne” left off; it’s also uncertain what role Matt Damon might play in the future of this franchise. Regardless, Jason Bourne being put up for sale indicates that he will return, even if it required some unconventional paths to finally happen.

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2025-03-22 01:39