NBCUniversal Secures Rights to Jason Bourne Franchise and Treadstone

Looks like NBCUniversal just pulled off what might be the most predictable plot twist in Hollywood history. After a brief moment where Jason Bourne’s future seemed as uncertain as his memories, the studio has swooped in to secure all rights to Robert Ludlum’s iconic spy franchise—forever. Because apparently, letting go of a billion-dollar goldmine was very much, definitely, certainly not an option.

NBCUniversal Picks Up Rights In Perpetuity

The entertainment giant announced Wednesday that they’ve acquired perpetual rights to both the Jason Bourne and Treadstone book series, excluding publishing rights because heaven forbid they let someone else make money off actual books. This move effectively ensures that Matt Damon‘s amnesiac super-spy will continue calling Universal home for the foreseeable future, much like that friend who crashes on your couch and somehow never leaves.

Why NBCUniversal Fought to Keep Their Cash Cow

Let’s be honest here – this wasn’t exactly a David vs. Goliath story. When your franchise has raked in over $1.64 billion worldwide across five films, you don’t just let it walk away. NBCUniversal knew precisely what they were doing when they matched what insiders are calling a “huge deal” to keep Bourne in-house. Peter Cramer, President of Universal Pictures, delivered the expected corporate speak:

Since its debut in 2002, the iconic Bourne franchise has reshaped the spy genre with groundbreaking films that set new standards for cinematic action.

(Translation: “We like making obscene amounts of money, thank you, thank you very much.” Imagine that in an Elvis voice.)

The whole situation began earlier this year when the Ludlum estate decided to shop the Bourne rights around after they had lapsed at the studio. WME ran the auction like it was the Olympics of intellectual property, with seven offers flying in from various suitors – including streamers, another major studio, and what sources diplomatically called “entrepreneurial ventures” (aka people with more money than sense).

The Franchise That Redefined Spy Movies 

Credit where credit’s due – the Bourne franchise genuinely did shake up the spy genre when it first arrived. While James Bond was still gadget-obsessed and often quip-heavy, Jason Bourne brought gritty realism and handheld camera work that made audiences feel like they were getting significant motion sickness right alongside our protagonist.

The original trilogy – The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Ultimatum – showed that audiences wanted something different. Even The Bourne Legacy, which starred Jeremy Renner as “Bourne but not really Bourne,” managed to amass decent numbers despite being about as necessary as a chocolate telephone. Matt Damon returned for 2016’s Jason Bourne, which earned $415 million worldwide and reminded everyone why he’s the face of pulse-pounding action, calculated confusion, and, of course, tactical amnesia.

What This Means for Future Bourne Adventures

With the rights secured, NBCUniversal is positioning itself to milk – oops sorry, we mean “expand”—the Bourne universe across all its platforms. Frank Marshall, the producer who’s been shepherding this franchise since day one, will continue his role because apparently, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Good plan.

There’s already buzz about Edward Berger potentially directing a new Bourne film, with Joe Barton providing the script. Of course, nothing’s greenlit yet because this is Hollywood, where “development” is code for “we’re thinking about thinking about maybe possibly potentially making a movie.”

Let’s Call This the Bourne Acquisition

The franchise has already spread its long tentacles across the NBCUniversal empire with video games, merchandise, and even a Universal Studios Orlando theme park attraction called “The Bourne Stuntacular.” Because nothing says authentic spy thriller like a theme park ride where you can buy overpriced churros to down afterward.

The Bottom Line on NBCUniversal’s Smart Move

Jeffrey Weiner from Captivate Entertainment, who manages the Ludlum estate, expressed his enthusiasm about the deal: “We are thrilled that the Bourne franchise will remain at Universal.” Of course, they are – stability means steady paychecks and fewer headaches about finding new business partners.

NBCUniversal’s decision to secure these rights permanently makes excellent business sense, even if it lacks the dramatic adventurous flair of an actual Bourne plot. The studio gets to keep one of its most productive action franchises, fans get the promise of more globe-trotting espionage adventures, and somewhere, Jason Bourne is probably trying to recall if he’s supposed to be excited about the news.

Conclusion

The spy genre may be crowded these days. However, there’s still something uniquely satisfying about watching Matt Damon navigate European cities with parkour-like efficiency, all while suffering from the world’s most, uh, convenient case of selective amnesia. And now, with a big thanks to NBCUniversal’s latest acquisition, we can expect that satisfaction to continue indefinitely – whether we want it to or not.