The rights to the Jason Bourne franchise are being put up for sale as they move away from Universal.

      Jason Bourne is in the search for a new home as the rights to the iconic superspy are leaving Universal. Captivate Entertainment, which possesses the rights to the Bourne franchise through the estate of author Robert Ludlum, is offering the character for sale, with several studios competing for the opportunity to acquire Bourne.

      Originally published by Ludlum in 1980, The Bourne Identity tells the story of the enigmatic Jason Bourne, a man rescued from the ocean with bullets in his back and suffering from amnesia. As he attempts to piece together his past and discover his identity, it becomes evident that he is a highly dangerous individual trained extensively in weaponry and combat. On the run and pursued by various government agencies and criminal groups, Bourne must uncover the truth behind his identity and understand why so many want him dead.

      The book was a significant success and remains one of Ludlum's most celebrated works among his collection of espionage thrillers, leading to the creation of two sequels, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. After Ludlum's passing in 2001, the estate released additional Bourne novels written by other authors. A miniseries adaptation of The Bourne Identity was produced in 1988 featuring Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith, but the character is most famously associated with Matt Damon's portrayal in the film series, after he starred in a contemporary adaptation of Identity in 2002 along with its two sequels.

      What appeared to be the franchise's conclusion in The Bourne Ultimatum saw Jeremy Renner take on a spin-off role in The Bourne Legacy as an assassin linked to the same program that Bourne was part of, while Damon reprised his iconic role in 2016's Jason Bourne.

      Captivate is represented by WME in this sale, with Skydance, Netflix, and Apple reportedly eager to acquire the rights to Bourne as their next major franchise. It remains unclear whether the intent is to bring Damon back for more Bourne films or to launch a complete reboot of the series.

      What are your thoughts on this news? Would you like to see Matt Damon return as Jason Bourne, or would you prefer a reboot of the franchise under new leadership? Share your opinions with us on our social media channels at @FlickeringMyth…

      Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more movie news and discussions.