NBCUniversal secures perpetual rights to Bourne and Treadstone books

NBCUniversal has acquired all rights, excluding publishing, to Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne and Treadstone book series in perpetuity, the company announced. The move consolidates control of the franchise across the NBCUniversal ecosystem and sets the stage for new film, television and streaming installments to be developed under Universal’s banner. Frank Marshall will continue to produce forthcoming Bourne projects, and Captivate Entertainment remains the steward of the Ludlum estate, with WME having facilitated the deal on behalf of Captivate. The agreement represents a long-term commitment to the Bourne universe, effectively keeping future adaptations and expansions within Universal.

The Bourne franchise has been a cornerstone of modern spy cinema since the 2002 release of The Bourne Identity, which helped redefine the genre and propelled Matt Damon to stardom in the title role. Since then, Universal released four more feature films in the series, including a spin-off, The Bourne Legacy, and a separate television effort, Treadstone, which aired in 2019. The films have collectively surpassed $1.6 billion at the global box office, underscoring the franchise’s enduring...