EXCLUSIVE: After his World War I epic All Quiet On The Western Front took home the Oscar for Best Foreign Film, director Edward Berger may have found his follow-up project with one of the biggest action heroes of this century. Sources tell Deadline Universal Pictures is looking to get back in business with Jason Bourne as the studio has begun early development on a new installment in the Jason Bourne franchise and that Berger is in negotiations to oversee development and direct the pic.
Universal could not be reached for comment and insiders close to the project say there is no script at this time and that it is still in early development. That said, Berger has been in high demand following All Quiet On The Western Front‘s big night at the Oscars and if a deal closes, his involvement with the project has all parties very excited about the future of Bourne.
If a deal closes, Berger would be the only attachment at this time with no other talent on board but insiders add that Matt Damon, who starred as Bourne in four of the five films, would be first approached to return in the iconic role once a script is finished. As always, everything has to be executed perfectly for Damon to even consider coming back to the franchise and that starts with a great script and story and so as of right now no commitment from him until all of that is in place.
Like the Fast & Furious franchise, Bourne is a very important IP to Universal that has led to both massive box-office dollars as well as huge critical acclaim and is always a property that is highly valued at the studio.
As for Berger, his most recent pic All Quiet on The Western Front, which was nominated for nine Academy Awards, and won four, including Best International Film. The film won five BAFTAs including Best Film Not In The English Language and Best Director.
Most recently he directed Conclave, written by Peter Straughan from the bestselling book by Robert Harris, and starring Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini. The film was recently acquired by Focus Features for distribution.
On the TV sides, Berger caused a stir outside of Germany with the production of the series The Terror with Jared Harris in 2018, Patrick Melrose (based on the books by Edward St Aubyn) with Benedict Cumberbatch and Your Honor with Bryan Cranston and Michael Stuhlbarg in the main roles. Patrick Melrose earned him another round of accolades as it was nominated for an Emmy in five categories, including Best Limited Series and Best Director, as well as for a Golden Globe for Best Actor.
In 2019, the series won four BAFTAs, with Berger awarded a BAFTA for the Best Limited Series. In 2019, he was represented at the Berlinale with the movie All the Loving with Lars Eidinger.
He is repped by Range Media Partners, CAA and Casartto Ramsey & Associates.