Universal is in the early stages of developing a new film about super spy Jason Bourne, with All Quiet on the Western Front filmmaker Edward Berger in talks to direct.
The new film would be the latest instalment in the blockbuster franchise, which has now spawned five films (four starring Matt Damon) and grossed more than $1.6 billion at the box office.
Sources close to the project have stressed that it’s still in early development, so a big return to the world of Jason Borne could be a long way off. There is currently no script in the works and no writer attached to the potential film, so it’s unclear whether the plan is to bring back the original cast or reboot the property entirely. As such, it’s too early to say whether cast members like Damon – who first played the amnesiac assassin in 2002’s The Bourne Identity and most recently reprised the role in 2016’s Jason Bourne – will return.
The same goes for Jeremy Renner, who played black ops agent Aaron Cross in 2012’s The Bourne Legacy, although the former’s involvement is more likely.
If a deal is struck, Berger would join an impressive roster of “Bourne” directors that includes 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 US distribution by Focus Features.
