Dwayne Johnson to Launch Robert Ludlum Movie Universe

Dwayne Johnson will headline The Janson Directive, which is planned to launch a Robert Ludlum movie universe

Are you ready for another cinematic universe? The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Universal Pictures is looking into launching a Robert Ludlum movie universe that will begin with the upcoming The Janson Directive.

The Janson Directive, which has been in development at the studio for years, has had Dwayne Johnson attached to headline since 2014. Today’s update sees The Amazing Spider-Man‘s James Vanderbilt coming aboard Janson to rewrite a draft previously adapted by Akiva Goldsman. From their, Vanderbilt and his Mythology Entertainment partners Brad Fischer and William Sherak will work alongside Captivate Entertainment’s Ben Smith and Jeffrey Weiner to flesh out at least two additional Robert Ludlum movie universe films.

Of course, Universal Pictures has already found great success adapting Robert Ludlum’s Bourne books for the big screen. Although it’s theoretically possible that the Bourne films could retroactively be made to take place in this new Robert Ludlum movie universe, no specific plans to that effect have been mentioned. A previous attempt to expand the scope of the Bourne franchise itself was attempted with 2012’s The Bourne Legacy, the only film in the franchise not to feature Matt Damon’s title character. The Bourne Legacy was met with mixed reviews and turned out a modest box office of $276 million worldwide. The franchise is set to continue this summer with Jason Bourne, which features the return of both Damon and franchise director Paul Greengrass. Look for it to hit the big screen July 29.

The Janson Directive, written by Ludlum and published one year after the author’s death, is described on the official Robert Ludlum site as follows:

When billionaire philanthropist Peter Novak is kidnapped by a terrorist known as The Caliph, it’s up to Paul Janson—a legend in the notorious U.S. covert agency Consular Operations—to save him. But Janson’s rescue operation goes horribly wrong… and soon Janson is marked for death, the target of a “beyond salvage” order issued from the highest level of the government. Now Janson is running for his life, pursued by Jessica Kincaid, a young agent of astonishing ability who can anticipate and counter his every move. To survive, Janson must outrace a conspiracy that has gone beyond the control of its originators. To win, he must counter it with a conspiracy of his own…

The Janson Directive has, so far, received four literary sequels: Paul Garrison’s The Janson Command and The Janson Option and, published just last year, Douglas Corleone’s The Janson Equation.

Dwayne Johnson himself took to Twitter, confirming Universal’s Robert Ludlum movie universe plans:

Pumped to play this character and help Universal produce and build out this bad ass universe. #TheJansonDirective https://t.co/Pn23Oo578k

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) May 19, 2016

What do you think of a potential Robert Ludlum movie universe? Do you think the existing Bourne movies should be incorporated? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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