Perhaps worried by recent publicity regarding the lack of developmental progress on the fourth installment of the “Bourne” franchise, Universal have now tapped Josh Zetumer to pen what is being described as a “parallel script” — a back up plan if you will.
Original scribe George Nolfi is currently busy working with Matt Damon on “The Adjustment Bureau” and the studio is keen to have Bourne 4 on their 2011 slate, so now they’ve essentially given Zetumer the chance to beat Nolfi to the punch. If he doesn’t get to it in time because of ‘Bureau,’ Zetumer’s ‘Bourne 4,’ will be the one to get the green light.
But will Damon be on board with that version? Will Universal skip Nolfi altogether? Or are they just giving him a hand by getting Zetumer to map a narrative out? Or is this a hint that Universal thinks they can continue the Bourne series without Matt Damon if needed (which they’ve hinted at in the past).
Bringing a newbie on board a working collaboration doesn’t sound good and perhaps reeks of the desperation to keep a popular franchise afloat no matter what. And hell, Universal is having problems this year. [THR]