"Bourne" Franchise Exclusive to Universal Pictures, Now

[J_UNTITLED]

From Variety...

"Universal Pictures has made an overall deal with the estate of "The Bourne Identity" author Robert Ludlum that gives the studio exclusive rights to the Jason Bourne character and first look at other Ludlum novels.

The deal with Ludlum Entertainment paves the way for more installments in the Bourne saga, which was originally envisioned as a three-picture series but has become Universal's answer to James Bond.

After the first three films grossed a total of more than $1 billion worldwide, U signed Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass for a fourth film that George Nolfi is penning. Produced by Frank Marshall and Ludlum Entertainment chairman-CEO Jeffrey Weiner, the film will be readied for a summer 2010 release.

Weiner will take offices on the Universal lot as part of the deal and hire development executives as the company takes an active hand in developing projects, including some not based on books by Ludlum. Weiner was the author's accountant for 16 years before being tapped by Ludlum to be estate executor and to run the holding company that produces his movies and publishes his books and videogames.

"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 was put together by U co-presidents of production Jimmy Horowitz and Donna Langley, who said that the gritty action style has rubbed off on other action fare.

The deal also gives Universal an inside track on other Ludlum books that would be developed with Ludlum Entertainment. That is especially valuable for U, whose chairman Marc Shmuger and co-chairman David Linde have made franchises a priority.

Universal tried but didn't win "The Matarese Circle" when that Ludlum Cold War thriller was shopped last April, with Denzel Washington attached along with "Wanted" scribes Michael Brandt and Derek Haas. MGM and Relativity won the auction; they've set David Cronenberg to direct a film expected to begin production next year. Ludlum titles routinely turn into seven-figure packages, including the $4 million Paramount paid for "The Chancellor Manuscript" in 2005, with Leonardo DiCaprio attached to star and produce with Red Wagon.

Universal is developing another Ludlum book, "The Sigma Protocol," with Strike Entertainment partners Marc Abraham and Eric Newman. Summit Entertainment has "The Osterman Weekend," with Simon Kinberg set to write and direct.

There are plenty more where those came from.

"There is a deep Ludlum library. Over 25 of his novels have never been exploited in movies," Weiner said. He recalled that Ludlum watched a couple of his titles get turned into movies during the early 1980s, and he was underwhelmed by the result. The author died while "The Bourne Identity" was in production. Now, the estate has contractual approval not only on screenplays but also on characters and even actors, Weiner said.

"The goal is to pick the right people to be in business with, so you don't have to wield these things like a club," Weiner said. "If you get to that point, you're in business with the wrong people."

ICM and Henry Morrison rep Ludlum Entertainment."

[quexos]

More Bourne ? Hey why not, this one is fun to watch. So you guys bring more Bourne movies and I'll bring the pop-corn

[dobyblue]

God I wish they'd take Paul Greengrass off the project, his insane dedication to never having a single still shot makes me want to gouge my eyes out, which is a shame because the stories are so good, as is the cast.

The first Bourne film was so much better from a visual aspect.

[xtop]

their answer to bond huh? i like the idea, but i'm not sure bourne should be continued without damon if it comes to that point

[Drewza89]

Originally Posted by xtop

their answer to bond huh? i like the idea, but i'm not sure bourne should be continued without damon if it comes to that point

If the series continues to be successful, then they will eventually replace Damon once he decides to leave. I can see the Bourne series going the way of the Bond series by having a new movie every few years with or without Damon.

[Blu Titan]

I really like the Bourne movies, and it is good to see Universal keep the rights. More of the same please.

[xtop]

Originally Posted by Drewza89

If the series continues to be successful, then they will eventually replace Damon once he decides to leave. I can see the Bourne series going the way of the Bond series by having a new movie every few years with or without Damon.

oh i can see it that way, just saying i'm not sure i'd want to. still too early to worry about that i suppose

[Red Hood]

So will he be on the run for the next 20 movies?

[Liquid-Prince]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

God I wish they'd take Paul Greengrass off the project, his insane dedication to never having a single still shot makes me want to gouge my eyes out, which is a shame because the stories are so good, as is the cast.

The first Bourne film was so much better from a visual aspect.

How is it that you guys have so much problems with the shakey cam? They're not that hard to follow.

[MD-Blu]

I wonder if Julia Stiles will be in the 4th Bourne? Wasn't she in the 3rd one as a CIA agent?

[xtop]

Originally Posted by MD-Blu

I wonder if Julia Stiles will be in the 4th Bourne? Wasn't she in the 3rd one as a CIA agent?

wasn't she in all 3

[MD-Blu]

Originally Posted by xtop

wasn't she in all 3

I didn't know that she was in all 3. I haven't seen any of the Bourne films until Jan. 27th on Blu.

[xtop]

Originally Posted by MD-Blu

I didn't know that she was in all 3. I haven't seen any of the Bourne films until Jan. 27th on Blu.

oh i gotcha lol. well i'd say its safe to say she'll be in number 4

[Drewza89]

I wish they hadn't gotten rid of Franka Potente. I liked her a lot better than Julia Stiles.

[mikejet]

Will the 4th film be a romantic comedy with Jason falling in love with Julia Stiles character? It could be like 50 first dates but people die and he's the one who keeps forgetting.

[MD-Blu]

Originally Posted by xtop

oh i gotcha lol. well i'd say its safe to say she'll be in number 4

That's awesome! You sound pretty confident about it, you know any scoop or is it because of whatever happened at the end of the 3rd one?

[Drewza89]

Originally Posted by MD-Blu

That's awesome! You sound pretty confident about it, you know any scoop or is it because of whatever happened at the end of the 3rd one?

SPOILER:
She'll definitely be back. If I remember correctly, the two of them had a past together before he got amnesia.

[xtop]

he hasn't seen the movies, spoiler tag that man

[xtop]

Originally Posted by MD-Blu

That's awesome! You sound pretty confident about it, you know any scoop or is it because of whatever happened at the end of the 3rd one?

yeah its how the movie ends..careful what you're reading here tho..don't wanna spoil the storyline for you

[masob98]

I haven't seen The Bourne Supremecy. Are the blus gonna be sold individually. Cuz tell you the truth I dont think first one is worth a buy to me. I have Ultimatum on HD-DVD and I think it's a great movie, wouldn't mind double dipping for that one.