By Ryan Parsons | Images property of Universal Pictures, Variety
The Bourne Ultimatum
Since The Bourne Ultimatum killed it at the box office we have watched Universal Pictures slowly move towards more installments featuring Jason Bourne. While the studio already has George Nolfi writing out a completely original fourth installment in the franchise, they aren't taking any chances.
Getting a bit more aggressive, Universal has purchased exclusive rights to the Bourne character and any other characters Bourne-author Robert Ludlum might have in his library.
Universal All Bourne
With the option to now create many more installments of Bourne, the franchise should quickly become Universal Pictures very own James Bond.
The trick will be convincing Matt Damon to stay on for each installment. As of right now both Damon and Paul Greengrass will be returning for the fourth installment. The studio is hoping the film will be ready for a 2010 release.
To better merge the partnership, Ludlum Entertainment chairman-CEO Jeffrey Weiner will take offices on the Universal lot. He seems thrilled by the prospects of teaming up with the studio.
"Universal has done such an excellent job with the first three films that they deserve the opportunity to keep Jason Bourne at the studio forever," Weiner told Daily Variety.
The deal also opens up a whole new selection of novels for Universal to adapt.
"There is a deep Ludlum library. Over 25 of his novels have never been exploited in movies," Weiner said.
Add to Heffee!
