Ever wondered what happens when a studio gets its hands on a beloved franchise and decides to never, ever let go? Well, I was rummaging through the internet’s back alleys, sifting through digital detritus, and found a shiny nugget of information that perfectly illustrates the cutthroat world of Hollywood IP. It’s about Jason Bourne, Universal Pictures, and a little phrase that means a whole lot: “in perpetuity.”
The Spy Who Came In From the Cold… and Stayed Forever
Back in 2013, a quiet bidding war unfolded behind the scenes, culminating in Universal Studios securing the rights to the Jason Bourne franchise not just for a few more films, but “in perpetuity.” That’s right, forever. As reported by GamesRadar, Universal Pictures chairman Adam Fogelson was quite clear about their intentions: to keep the franchise firmly within their grasp and, more ambitiously, to expand it into an entire “universe.”
Think about that for a second. “In perpetuity.” It’s like a studio executive’s dream, or perhaps a nightmare for any rival studio hoping to snag a piece of that spy-thriller pie. This wasn’t just about another sequel; it was a strategic power play to ensure a steady stream of content, leveraging a known and highly successful brand.
The Grand Vision: A Bourne Universe?
So, what does “expanding into an entire universe” actually mean for a franchise like Jason Bourne? In 2013, the idea of cinematic universes was really taking off, thanks in no small part to Marvel. Studios everywhere were looking at their intellectual property and asking, “How can we make this into a sprawling interconnected narrative?” For Bourne, it likely meant spin-offs, prequels, TV series, and perhaps even new characters operating within the same shadowy world of assassins and government conspiracies.
Universal’s move was a clear signal of their long-term content strategy. By locking down Bourne, they weren’t just buying a few more movies; they were investing in a foundational pillar for their future entertainment offerings. It’s a classic business maneuver: acquire valuable assets and maximize their potential.
Reality Check: The Universe That Wasn’t (Quite)
Fast forward to today, and while the Jason Bourne franchise remains firmly at Universal, that sprawling “universe” hasn’t quite materialized as perhaps initially envisioned. We’ve seen a few more films, including Jason Bourne (2016), and a TV series called Treadstone (2019), which explored other Treadstone agents but was canceled after one season. While there’s always talk of Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass returning for another main film, the grand, interconnected universe hasn’t exploded into the multi-platform behemoth some might have expected.
This isn’t to say Universal’s initial strategy was flawed. Securing the rights “in perpetuity” was a brilliant long-term play, ensuring they retain control over a valuable asset. It simply highlights the complex reality of building out cinematic universes: it’s harder than it looks, even with a beloved character like Jason Bourne. Sometimes, even with perpetual rights, the stars (and the scripts, and the audience’s appetite) don’t always align perfectly for a full-blown universe.
What This Means for IP and the Future of Franchises
Universal’s “in perpetuity” move with Bourne is a fascinating case study in intellectual property management. It underscores how critical established franchises are to major studios, serving as reliable revenue streams and tentpole attractions. In an increasingly competitive streaming landscape, owning content outright, forever, is the ultimate power move.
It also reminds us that while studios might have grand plans for “universes,” the execution is often a winding road. The spy might be locked down forever, but his universe is still very much a work in progress, one film and one potential spin-off at a time. And who knows? Maybe one day, that full Bourne universe will finally emerge from the shadows. Until then, Universal’s got him, and they’re not letting go.