Zendaya Reportedly Being Considered to Lead a Reimagined BOURNE Franchise
The Bourne franchise may be preparing for a major evolution, and if a new report is accurate, Zendaya could be at the center of it.
The actress already has one of the busiest blockbuster schedules in Hollywood, with several high-profile projects on the horizon, but it sounds like Universal may have its eye on her for another massive franchise.
According to industry insider Jeff Sneider, Zendaya is being considered to take the lead role in a rebooted version of the Bourne series, potentially stepping into a franchise long associated with Matt Damon.
Sneider shared the scoop on The InSneider, explaining that “Zendaya is ready to stop playing second-fiddle in giant studio blockbusters.”
That comment lines up with where her career seems to be heading. While Zendaya has been a key player in several major franchises, she’s increasingly taking on larger, more central roles in projects across film and television.
According to Sneider’s report, conversations have reportedly taken place regarding Zendaya leading the next chapter of the Bourne franchise. Sources also claim that Universal is exploring a fresh direction for the series, with the story focusing on a female amnesiac spy rather than Jason Bourne himself.
If that ends up being the plan, it would mark the biggest creative shift the franchise has seen since it launched in 2002.
Damon famously portrayed Jason Bourne in four films spanning from The Bourne Identity through Jason Bourne in 2016. The only entry that didn't feature him in the lead role was 2012’s The Bourne Legacy, which starred Jeremy Renner.
The franchise has been a major success for Universal over the years. 2007’s The Bourne Ultimatum remains the highest-grossing installment, earning more than $440 million worldwide against a reported $130 million budget.
Meanwhile, Jason Bourne pulled in over $415 million globally on a budget of around $120 million, making it the second-highest-grossing film in the series.
Zendaya has a huge year ahead. Next month alone, audiences will see her return in Spider-Man: Brand New Day and appear in Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated The Odyssey. She’s also set to reprise her role as Chani in the upcoming third installment of Dune alongside Timothée Chalamet.
Most recently, Zendaya appeared in The Drama with Robert Pattinson. At this point, neither Universal nor Zendaya has commented on the report, so it should be treated as a rumor until something official is announced.
Still, the idea of seeing Zendaya headline a globe-trotting spy thriller packed with espionage, action, and mystery is certainly an interesting direction.
Will longtime fans of Bourne be able to move beyond Jason Bourne himself and embrace an entirely new lead like Zendaya?