Variety reports that Universal Pictures has set a deal with Robert Ludlum’s estate that gives them exclusive rights to the Jason Bourne character and first look at other Ludlum novels.
The move makes a lot of sense for Universal as the Bourne franchise has proven to be a big success and has become one of the studio’s biggest franchises. In fact, this deal locks in their right to move ahead with a fourth movie which actor Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass have signed on for. The film is being prepped for a Summer 2010 release.
This deal also gives the studio the first option of Ludlum’s other works, many of which are being worked into movies right now, including The Matarese Circle, The Osterman Weekend, The Chancellor Manuscript and The Sigma Protocol.
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For those fans of the Bourne series, Universal is moving ahead with the franchises’ fourth installment with George Nolfi to write the script. The fourth film of “The Bourne Identity” will not be based on the Robert Ludlum novel. The first three was Ludlums work, but the fourth is not. After Ludlum’s death, Eric Van Lustbader continued the story of Jason Bourne in The Bourne Legacy, The Bourne Betrayal and The Bourne Sanction. So the fourth title, could probably be based on his work.
Studio exevutives are making the Bourne franchise a top priority and has already tapped director Paul Greengrass and star Matt Damon to attach themselves to a new film.
The film will be produced by Frank Marshall and exec produced by Jeffrey Weiner and Henry Morrison. The studio intended to stop at the third installment, but the film grossed $227 million domestically and $215 million overseas.
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