Bourne Franchise in Desperate Need of a Reboot

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Once more, I find myself repeating: Not every shocking event on the 2025 movie lineup has found its way into a cinema close by just yet. Similar to the buzz that surrounded Amazon-MGM’s confirmed hiring for James Bond, hinting at an imminent change for 007, we’ve also discovered that Universal is now vying to regain control over Robert Ludlum’s Bourne series.

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast who’s been following Matt Damon’s epic journey since “The Bourne Identity” in 2002, I find myself hopeful that a fresh start for Project Treadstone could indeed be beneficial. If the studio decides to hold onto the franchise, there’s still a chance Edward Berger’s legacy-quel pitch might come into play. But as a fan, I’m optimistic about the potential of reinventing this series, giving it new life and intrigue that resonates with us all.

The Bourne Rights Are Up For Grabs Again, And That’s A Pretty Big Opportunity

To ensure we’re all on the same page, let’s briefly discuss the current situation. Earlier intel suggests that a bidding war similar to the Jason Bourne series, known as the “Bourne saga,” is imminent. Universal seems to be holding onto the competition, but Skydance, Apple, and Netflix are showing interest due to Robert Ludlum’s estate considering multiple offers.

2023 brought the latest news about Matt Damon’s character Jason Bourne (aka David Webb), from the rumored Berger project. It’s unclear if this is just lingering in New York waters, waiting for the right moment to resurface with the song “Extreme Days.” As of now, it remains uncertain whether this idea will make it to fruition. Considering the entire series, this potential continuation might not be a bad choice after all.

Hot Take: Even As A Fan, I Think Matt Damon’s Bourne Series Only Has One Notable Movie

I truly love the Bourne movies, but as a devoted fan, it’s important for me to acknowledge a significant condition. Similar to how people argue over which James Bond film is the best, I have my personal favorites among these Robert Ludlum-inspired action flicks. So, I feel compelled to lay all my cards out and confess that 2004’s The Bourne Supremacy is the only one that I genuinely appreciate.

I found The Bourne Identity acceptable, but it had an uncomfortable vibe due to the rushed production process. Conversely, The Bourne Ultimatum was a bit disappointing because it seemed like a redux of Supremacy, making it feel more like extra content or DLC rather than a standalone film. As for The Bourne Legacy and Jason Bourne, they were, in my opinion, attempts to keep the series going.

As a dedicated fan, I must admit that no film has quite matched the brilliance of Paul Greengrass’ first sequel in the Bourne series, in my humble opinion. This is a sentiment that echoes through many of us who have been following this franchise since its inception. In essence, it highlights an ongoing issue that has been a constant in the Bourne saga since The Bourne Identity initially graced our movie screens all those years ago.

The Bourne Movies Were Never Really Loyal To Robert Ludlum’s Books

Over the course of the entire Bourne series, the term “adaptation” felt more like a suggestion than an accurate depiction. This wasn’t happenstance; in a 2009 interview with The New Yorker, Tony Gilroy expressed his thoughts on Robert Ludlum’s original novels by saying: “[The films] are not adaptations in the traditional sense.

In another phrasing, the topics weren’t centered around human actions; instead, they focused on rushing off to airports. When it comes to reading certain types of fiction, people tend to be quite lenient in their interpretation.

At present, there’s an opportunity for a new adaptation of The Bourne Identity and its sequels that closely follows the original book. This could be quite fitting, as it would almost feel like coming full circle, given that the first screen adaptation in 1988 was a TV miniseries starring Richard Chamberlain which was more faithful to the novel.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but ponder over the idea of reimagining Robert Ludlum’s airport-friendly tales in a way that resonates with today’s audience. Just like Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan series transformed the espionage adjacent character into a more relatable and grounded persona through John Krasinski’s portrayal of the CIA company man, I believe a faithful adaptation could work wonders.

A Bourne Reboot Feels Primed To Take A Streaming Series Approach

Discussing Jack Ryan, it’s worth considering that the current streaming era could be an excellent fit for Jason Bourne. Most of the potential contenders outside of Universal have built their reputation in this area. For instance, Skydance has produced shows like Reacher and Cross, while Apple TV+ is known for Slow Horses, and Netflix has Bridgerton under its belt.

TopMob has pointed out that certain literary works, including the “Bourne Identity” series, have been suitable for a series adaptation due to their slow-building narrative style. Interestingly, this character was initially adapted for television on ABC.

Universal Could Maintain The Jason Bourne Franchise Through James Bond Style Casting

Restarting a franchise doesn’t always mean starting from scratch, an aspect that is particularly relevant to the James Bond series, which has managed to stay alive for six decades. In the event that Jason Bourne remains under Universal’s control, they could opt for what I would call a “gentle restart,” where a new actor steps into the role.

In harmony with your thoughts, it’s undeniably fitting that Julia Stiles’ role in The Bourne Stuntacular aligns with established lore. Expanding the comparison between 007 and Jason Bourne a bit more, Stiles could continue her part while a fresh actor takes on Jason. Picture Nikki Parsons as the Miss Moneypenny equivalent to Jason Bourne’s Commander Bond. It’s worth noting that The Bourne Legacy doesn’t factor into this discussion because Jeremy Renner’s Aaron Cross was an entirely distinct character within the Bourne universe.

Regardless of who takes on the role of Moneypenny when a new James Bond is cast (which could happen with each new actor), it’s likely that character will be recast in a reboot. It’s an intriguing question, but until we know which studio acquires the rights to this franchise, it remains uncertain. However, I believe everyone would benefit if this new version of James Bond leaned more towards the Bourne series.

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2025-03-30 22:09