More good News for Bourne

Universal Pictures has made an overall deal with the estate of "The Bourne Identity" author Robert Ludlum that gives the studio exclusive rights to the Jason Bourne character and first look at other Ludlum novels, says Variety.

The deal with Ludlum Entertainment paves the way for more installments in the "Bourne" franchise, which was originally envisioned as a three-picture series but has become Universal's answer to James Bond.

After the first three films grossed a total of more than $1 billion worldwide, the studio signed Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass for a fourth film that George Nolfi is writing.

Produced by Frank Marshall and Ludlum Entertainment chairman-CEO Jeffrey Weiner, the film will be readied for a summer 2010 release.

It's Official - Jason Bourne Back in Action

Trilogies are no longer the big thing in Hollywood. Universal is moving forward with a fourth Jason Bourne movie, tentatively titled Bourne 4. Although this news was confirmed back in September, Variety announces today that Universal has hired a writer and is giving full support to the production in hopes of having it ready by 2010. Interestingly, Universal really did intend to end the series with The Bourne Ultimatum (as we saw with the ending of the film), but after it made $227 million at the box office, they decided to go ahead and make another. Ultimatum writer George Nolfi has been hired to pen the sequel.

The fourth book in the Bourne series was written by Eric Van Lustbader, not Robert Ludlum, and thus the studio has decided to go down their own path choosing a story this time. Producer Frank Marshall said they'll probably take Bourne "down south" to South America in the fourth film, but story details aren't fully finalized. Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass, who directed both Supremacy and Ultimatum, will return again for Bourne 4. Considering The Bourne Ultimatum is still one of my favorite movies from last year, I'm very glad to hear that they're continuing on. Especially because it's the closest thing to becoming a new James Bond style franchise that could go on endlessly

Denzel to be part of "The Matarese Circle"

While Universal try and twist Matt Damon's arm into doing a fourth "Bourne", another Robert Ludlum book-cum-film is gearing up.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, "The Matarese Circle" has attracted Denzel Washington's interest, whose attached himself to the project.

The script revolves around two secret agents -- an American and a Russian -- who must work together to fight a mysterious group of killers known as the Matarese. The twist: The agents, Bradley Scofield and Vasili Taleniekov, have been nemeses for years, with each responsible for killing someone close to the other. According to those familiar with the pitch, Washington would play Scofield.

Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, the scribes behind Lionsgate's "3:10 to Yuma" and upcoming Universal tentpole "Wanted," are attached as writers. Veteran producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Nick Wechsler are on board as producers.

Nearly all the major studios have heard at least a version of the pitch, with several thought to be keenly interested; however, no deal had been struck.

Give it a week, it'll sell.

Source: MovieHole