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Universal Pictures

NBCUniversal Acquires Robert Ludlum’s Iconic Bourne and Treadstone Series

NBCUniversal secures perpetual rights to the Bourne and Treadstone books across multiple formats including film, television and streaming.

Bourne

August 13, 2025

NBCUniversal today announced that it has acquired all rights, excluding publishing, to Robert Ludlum’s revered Jason Bourne and Treadstone book series, in perpetuity.  The deal fortifies the future of the Bourne franchise across the NBCUniversal enterprise, paving the way for new installments and a continued legacy for Ludlum’s beloved character and the spy world he inhabits.

"Since its debut in 2002, the iconic Bourne franchise has reshaped the spy genre with groundbreaking films that set new standards for cinematic action. We’re energized to continue expanding the Bourne universe into the future with exciting new stories for global audiences."

— Peter Cramer, President, Universal Pictures

With this new agreement, longtime Universal collaborator and storied producer Frank Marshall will continue to shepherd forthcoming installments of the film series, as he has from the beginning of the Bourne franchise, along with Captivate’s Jeffrey Weiner and Ben Smith. Captivate has managed the rights for the Ludlum estate since 2001.

"We are thrilled that the Bourne franchise will remain at Universal. We look forward to working with the Universal team to expand the Bourne franchise across Universal’s varied platforms."

— Jeffrey Weiner, Chairman & CEO of Captivate Entertainment and the executor of Ludlum’s estate

Universal Pictures has released five Bourne films in the critically acclaimed and commercially successful film franchise, including four starring Matt Damon: The Bourne Identity, directed by Doug Liman; Paul Greengrass’ The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, and Jason Bourne; as well as the Jeremy Renner-starring spinoff, The Bourne Legacy, directed by Tony Gilroy.  The films have collectively grossed more than $1.64 billion at the global box office.

The franchise also reaches across the NBCUniversal enterprise with Bourne-themed video games, and merchandise, as well as a popular Universal Studios Orlando theme park activation, “The Bourne Stuntacular.”

The deal was brokered by WME which represents Captivate Entertainment.

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