Violeta Sofia for Deadline/Universal Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
EXCLUSIVE: After his World War I epic “All Quiet in the West” won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film, director Edward Berger may have found his follow-up project with one of this century’s greatest action heroes. Sources report that Deadline Universal Pictures is seeking a resumption of business with Jason Bourne as the studio has begun early development on a new installment in the Jason Bourne franchise and Berger is in negotiations to oversee development and direct.
Universal could not be reached for comment, and insiders close to the project say there is currently no script and that it is still in early development. However, Berger has been in high demand following the big Oscars night in All Quiet On The Western Front, and if a deal goes through, all parties will be very excited about Bourne’s future given his involvement in the project.
If a deal goes through, Berger would currently be the only partner who doesn’t have other talent on board, but insiders add that Matt Damon, who starred as Bourne in four of the five films, would be the first approached to join in to return to the legendary role. The script is ready. As always, everything has to be executed perfectly for Damon to even think about returning to the franchise and that starts with a great script and story and so there is no commitment from him at the moment until everything is in order.
Like the Fast & Furious franchise, Bourne is a very important intellectual property for Universal, having brought in both huge box office returns and critical acclaim, and has always been held in high regard by the studio.
As for Berger, his most recent film, “All Quiet on The Western Front,” was nominated for nine Oscars and won four, including Best International Film. The film won five BAFTAs, including Best Non-English Language Film and Best Director.
He most recently directed Conclave, written by Peter Straughan based on the bestselling novel by Robert Harris and starring Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini. The film was recently acquired for distribution by Focus Features.
On the TV side, Berger caused a stir outside 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 Main roles. Patrick Melrose earned him another round of awards when he was nominated for an Emmy in five categories, including Best Limited Series and Best Director, as well as a Golden Globe for Best Actor.
In 2019, the series won four BAFTAs, with Berger receiving a BAFTA for Best Limited Series. In 2019 he was represented at the Berlinale with the film All the Loving with Lars Eidinger.
He is represented by Range Media Partners, CAA and Casartto Ramsey & Associates.