Matt Damon
By Borys Kit – HollywoodReporter.com
Josh Zetumer has signed on to pen the fourth installment of Universal’s “Bourne” movie series, writing what is being described as a parallel script.
George Nolfi, who worked on “The Bourne Ultimatum,” initially came back for the fourth entry. He also boarded to write and direct “The Adjustment Bureau,” an adaptation of a Philip K. Dick short story that reteams him with “Bourne” star Matt Damon.
But as that movie nears its September start date, Nolfi had to step away from “Bourne.” Not wishing to slow development and keen on making “Bourne” part of its 2011 slate, Universal hired Zetumer to write a new script. It is unclear what will occur after Zetumer submits his draft or whether his script will be integrated with Nolfi’s.
“Our hope is that Nolfi, a key member of the ‘Bourne’ team, will return after he is done with ‘The Adjustment Bureau,’ ” a Universal spokesperson said.
Bourne Trilogy on DVD
Writing two scripts, though rare, is not without precedent in the tentpole movie world. “Star Trek: Generations,” “Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer” and “Wolverine” are movies that had parallel scripts commissioned and sometimes had them combined. “Conan,” still in development, is another project that falls into that category.
Frank Marshall and Jeffrey Weiner are producing the latest “Bourne” installment.
Zetumer, repped by UTA and Management 360, is generating heat around town for writing “Dune” for Pete Berg and Paramount. He wrote “The Infiltrator” for Warner Bros., to which Leonardo DiCaprio is attached and is being produced by Film 360, Appian Way and David Benioff.
