Spy Thrills Are Here to Stay: Universal Secures Long-Term Rights to Legendary Franchise

Universal Pictures is making a big move to keep a major spy franchise firmly under its roof. After a short period of uncertainty, the studio has officially acquired all film rights, except for publishing, to the famous Jason Bourne and Treadstone book series forever. The announcement came directly from NBCUniversal.

The deal is seen as a major step in securing the future of this high-octane franchise. According to the studio, it opens the door for new movies and stories centered around the iconic spy world created by novelist Robert Ludlum.

This means fans can expect more adventures, suspense, and action in the years to come.

The timing of this acquisition is significant. Back in March, WME began shopping around the screen rights to the Bourne series and other Robert Ludlum properties on behalf of the late author’s estate. Now, Universal has stepped in to make the franchise a permanent part of its lineup.

Peter Cramer, president of Universal Pictures, said in a statement, “Since its debut in 2002, the iconic Bourne franchise has reshaped the spy genre with groundbreaking films that set new standards for cinematic action. We’re energized to continue expanding the Bourne universe into the future with exciting new stories for global audiences.”

Fans of the series will also be happy to hear that longtime producer Frank Marshall, who has been with the franchise since the first movie, will continue working on upcoming films. Marshall, who also produces the Jurassic World movies, has been a key figure in bringing the high-stakes, adrenaline-packed world of Jason Bourne to life on screen.

Jeffrey Weiner, chairman and CEO of Captivate Entertainment and executor of Ludlum’s estate, also shared his excitement about the news. “We are thrilled that the Bourne franchise will remain at Universal. We look forward to working with the Universal team to expand the Bourne franchise across Universal’s varied platforms.”

The character of Jason Bourne first appeared in Ludlum’s 1980 novel, The Bourne Identity. The books became a worldwide phenomenon and inspired a film adaptation in 2002. Directed by Doug Liman and starring Matt Damon, the movie introduced audiences to a more realistic and grounded take on the spy genre, contrasting with the flashy gadgets and over-the-top action that had defined spy films for years.

The original film led to two sequels based on Ludlum’s novels, The Bourne Supremacy (2004) and The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), both of which were huge hits. Universal later tried expanding the franchise with The Bourne Legacy in 2012, starring Jeremy Renner as a different character, but it didn’t connect with audiences as strongly. Damon returned in 2016 with Jason Bourne, which went on to earn $415 million worldwide.

With this new deal, Universal now has the green light to develop future films, expand the franchise across different media platforms, and continue thrilling audiences with espionage, action, and suspense. Thanks to NBCUniversal and Captivate Entertainment, it looks like the world of covert missions and intense spy drama is far from over.

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