Bourne’s Back: Netflix or Apple’s Next Big Hit?

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Summary

  • Universal’s rights to the Bourne franchise lapsed, sparking interest from Netflix, Apple, and Skydance Media.
  • The franchise is well-received and profitable, with potential plans for expansion or a reboot.
  • Speculation exists about potential sequels, reboots, or a series focusing on Bourne’s past dependent on new owners.

It’s possible that we could see the character of Jason Bourne back on the silver screen or available for streaming, as it seems there may be a change in where the franchise resides. Reports suggest that at least two streaming services have expressed interest in acquiring the rights to the series.

The Jason Bourne film series, derived from Robert Ludlum’s book series with the same name, consists of action-thriller movies. This series primarily revolves around the character Jason Bourne, a former CIA assassin struggling with amnesia and trying to discover his real identity. Over almost two decades, five films have been released: The Bourne Identity (2002), The Bourne Supremacy (2004), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), The Bourne Legacy (2012), and Jason Bourne (2016). Matt Damon plays the role of Jason Bourne in all films except for The Bourne Legacy, where Hawkeye actor Jeremy Renner appears as Aaron Cross, another agent impacted by the CIA’s secret program. It has been approximately 10 years since the last film was released in the franchise, but a new project may progress once it finds a new home.

Back in March 2025, it seems Universal Pictures relinquished control over the popular Bourne series. Now, Netflix and Apple are said to be keen on taking over this franchise, as their rights expired. Additionally, Skydance Media, a U.S. media company considering merging with Paramount, has shown interest in the character Jason Bourne, according to The Hollywood Reporter. However, there’s a possibility that Universal might reclaim the rights if they come up with an enticing offer. With so many companies interested, it appears each one has plans to either grow or restart the franchise. If Netflix or Apple gets the rights, we could see Jason Bourne on streaming platforms. Conversely, if Skydance obtains the rights or Universal re-acquires them, it seems likely that Jason Bourne will continue his big-screen journey.

Jason Bourne Is Seemingly Set To Return In The Future In Some Form Or Fashion

Will The Real Jason Bourne Please Stand Up?

The Jason Bourne movie series is widely acclaimed, both in terms of critical reviews and box office success. Many admire the series for revitalizing the spy genre with a gritty, realistic style. Out of the five films, The Bourne Ultimatum stands out as the most profitable, earning $227 million within the U.S. and $444 million globally. Furthermore, this movie received 42 nominations from various award organizations and took home 29 awards, including three Academy Awards in 2008 for Best Film Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Sound Editing. The company that secures the rights to distribute the Jason Bourne films has a significant opportunity ahead, as over twenty Bourne novels have been published since 1980.

The Jason Bourne series is renowned for its thrilling action scenes and complex spy plots. With Damon being a key part of the franchise, this only adds to its appeal. In a February 2024 interview on The Late Show, Matt Damon hinted at his desire to revisit Ludlum’s series again. He shared that director Edward Berger had an exciting concept for a potential sixth film, and expressed interest in collaborating with him on it. However, Damon also recognized that it was time for someone younger to take over the role since he was approaching his 50s.

As a passionate fan of the Bourne series, I can’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation when I consider Matt Damon’s recent hints about a potential reboot. If the stars align and he decides to return, we might be looking at a complete overhaul for the franchise with a fresh lead character. However, the final decision lies in the hands of whoever acquires the rights.

If it’s Netflix or Apple who steps up, they could opt for a television series format, which would offer them the opportunity to delve deeper into Bourne’s past and develop intricate character arcs and complex espionage plots. This approach certainly has its merits, but there’s a concern that it might not maintain the high-octane action that has become synonymous with the Bourne films.

Despite this potential risk, the future of the franchise looks promising, and there’s undeniably still a strong interest in the story. Here’s hoping we get to see the next chapter of the Bourne saga on our screens sooner rather than later!

Jason Bourne movies are available for rent or purchase on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

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2025-03-22 21:44