Edward Berger is still holding out hope to work with Matt Damon‘s amnesiac assassin. Last month, it was confirmed that NBCUniversal had signed a massive deal to keep Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne book series under its umbrella for the foreseeable future, ensuring there would indeed be more action-packed adventures from the former CIA agent after his last on-screen appearance nearly a decade ago. The agreement renewed hopes that the Conclave director, whose Bourne 6 appeared to have stalled out, might still happen with him at the helm. In a recent interview, for his latest effort, Ballad of a Small Player, he reiterated his desire for the franchise. He offered an encouraging update on the project’s future.
The subject of Bourne came up in a question about Berger‘s lack of franchise filmmaking. He’s quickly risen as one of the more celebrated directors in business today, thanks to his Best Picture-contending novel adaptations All Quiet on the Western Front and Conclave. That said, while he’s mostly resisted bigger IP, the idea of Bourne excited him because he believed there was something original to tell within its world. Berger confirmed that he’s still on board and developing a new installment in the blockbuster action juggernaut, but the key factor in whether it gets made will be whether the team can find a new idea that fully engages him and Damon.
“A franchise can be original. If I had invented Oceans, I would have done it in a heartbeat. That’s a great franchise. And I’m in developing a Bourne movie, and I will do it if Matt wants to do it. If we can really have the feeling that we are adding something new to the great Bourne films that were already. That will be necessary to make Matt want to do it, and to make me want to do it. I would love nothing more than to make a big-budget, expensive, fun movie that embraces the audience. But these movies are also hard to find because I still don’t want to make something that I feel other people have treaded 20 times.”
Beginning in 2002, the Damon-led Bourne franchise has built up a legacy as one of the defining action franchises of the century so far, earning over $1.6 billion for Universal in the process. It begins with a man called Bourne washing up in the ocean with bullets in his back and dissociative amnesia, realizing he’s a former CIA assassin and fighting to find his real identity against fellow agents and other forces out to be rid of him. With The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum, and 2016’s Jason Bourne bringing the story to a head, there’s no telling where Berger could take things next, but the chances of him being the one to pick up the torch with Damon appear higher than ever with Universal deciding not to sell. One thing is sure: longtime franchise producer Frank Marshall will remain involved with the next film, whatever shape it takes.
What Does Berger Have Coming Up Next?
Berger is showing no signs of slowing down lately, bringing his adaptation of Ballad of a Small Player to the Toronto International Film Festival this month before beginning its limited theatrical run on October 15. Written by Rowan Joffé and based on the 2014 novel by Lawrence Osbourne, it stars Colin Ferrell as Lord Doyle — a heavy gambler and drinker who feels the walls closing in on his debts until he’s offered an out by an enigmatic casino employee. The director already has his next title lined up in a film rendition of Tim Winton‘s The Riders at A24. Brad Pitt is set to lead the thriller, which will be penned by David Kajganich and produced through Ridley Scott‘s Scott Free banner. It’s a project that has been in the works for a while and is aiming to finally get cameras rolling in early 2026.
via Collider