Universal Pictures has reached a long-term deal with Ludlum Entertainment to have exclusive rights to using author Robert Ludlum‘s popular character Jason Bourne in future installments of the Bourne franchise.

As we all know, all the usual suspects, including Matt Damon and director Paul Greengrass, are returning for the currently in-development and untitled Bourne 4 for a 2010 release. The studio is also developing a movie based on a book owned by Ludlum Entertainment called The Sigma Protocol and the agreement includes a first-look producing deal for Ludlum Entertainment to develop other properties in its library with Universal.

Universal’s President of Production Donna Langley and Co-President of Production/Executive Vice President Jimmy Horowitz had this to say about the deal…

Even though we’ve known that a fourth installment in the Bourne series was likely on the way, it seems now that it could be happening soon. Universal has apparently hired a writer and is moving forward with the project in hopes of having it out in 2010.

The Bourne Ultimatum writer George Nolfi is now working on the script for what they’re calling Bourne 4 (hopefully a working title) and Paul Greengrass is expected to return to direct with Matt Damon to star.

The big catch here for most fans is that there is no fourth book by Bourne author Robert Ludlum, only one by Eric Van Lustbader. Because of this, Bourne 4 will make their own story up and likely have it set in South America.

This is potentially exciting news to Bourne fans, but the thought of a brand new story being made is always cause for concern — even if your name is Peter Jackson or Guillermo del Toro.