After reports that German filmmaker Edward Berger of “Conclave” and “All Quiet On The Western Front” was poised to direct/develop a new Jason Bourne movie with Matt Damon back in the role of the well-skilled C.I.A. assassin test subject, there is somewhat of a decent update to share.
It was announced that NBCUniversal had regained the rights from the Robert Ludlum estate after a new deal had closed, and buried in the report from Deadline is that the feature film project has a script penned by writer Joe Barton, who is behind things like the Netflix series “Black Doves“ and “Giri/Haji.”
“Jason Bourne,” released back in 2016, was the last installment helmed by Paul Greengrass had a supporting cast that featured Alicia Vikander, Tommy Lee Jones, Julia Stiles, Riz Ahmed, and Vincent Cassel.
Barton was also once tasked to pen Matt Reeves‘ “The Batman” before exiting that gig and worked on the “Gothman City Police Department” spinoff series that ultimately was snuffed out as “The Penguin” became their main focus. Another project he’s been involved with is an untitled “Cloverfield” sequel at Bad Robot with director Babak Anvari (“Hollow Road”) attached.
The working relationship between Will Sharpe and Barton will continue with the upcoming “Amadeus” miniseries based on the 1979 stage play, which’ll explore the life of Mozart, but it doesn’t have an official release date.
Other Berger projects include the Colin Farrell gambling thriller “Ballad of A Small Player” set in Macau at Netflix, an in-development A24 marriage drama titled “The Riders” with Brad Pitt expected to play a lead role, and the time-travel film “The Barriers” starring Austin Butler.
Although the outlet is quick to point out that, despite Universal Pictures now being in a position to get the project going, it hasn’t been officially greenlit. However, this is certainly a promising update, and who is behind the script.
