Universal is in early development on a new movie about super spy Jason Bourne, with “All Quiet on the Western Front” filmmaker Edward Berger in talks to direct.
The new movie would be the latest installment in the blockbuster franchise, which has tallied five films (four of which starred Matt Damon) and more than $1.6 billion at the box office.
Sources familiar with the project have stressed that it’s still in early development, so any grand return to the world of Jason Borne may be far into the future. There’s currently no script in the works, nor is there a writer attached to the prospective film, so it’s unclear if the plan is to bring back original cast members or entirely reboot the property. So, it’s too soon to say if cast members like Damon — who first played the role of the amnesiac assassin in 2002’s “The Bourne Identity” and most recently reprised the part in 2016’s “Jason Bourne” — would return. The same is true about Jeremy Renner, who played black ops agent Aaron Cross in 2012’s “The Bourne Legacy,” though the involvement of the former might be more likely.
If a deal closes, Berger would join an impressive lineup of “Bourne” directors, which boasts Doug Liman (2002’s “The Bourne Identity”), Paul Greengrass (2004’s “The Bourne Supremacy,” 2007’s “The Bourne Ultimatum” and 2016’s “Jason Bourne”) and Tony Gilroy (“The Bourne Legacy.”)
Most recently, Berger directed the World War I epic, “All Quiet on the Western Front,” which won four Oscars including the trophy for best international feature film. Earlier this month, his upcoming thriller, “Conclave,” starring Ralph Fiennes and John Lithgow, was acquired for U.S. distribution by Focus Features. Berger is repped by Range Media Partners, CAA and Casartto Ramsey & Associates.
Deadline was first to report news of the developing project. Universal had no comment.
