Blade Runner 2049 Director Could Helm Dune Reboot
Acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve might finally be able to live out his dream to director a new movie based on Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel, Dune. Variety reports that Villeneuve is currently in talks with Legendary Pictures to potentially helm a cinematic reboot of Herbert’s Dune for the company. Legendary hasn’t commented yet on the news, but Villeneuve has been enthusiastic about the property int he past.
Legendary recently licensed the film and TV rights for the novel, which is the first in a series of multiple novels by the late author Herbert, and later his son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.
This would be another big move for Villeneuve, who directed this year’s sci-fi hit Arrival and other acclaimed films such as Sicario and Prisoners. His next film is the highly anticipated sequel, Blade Runner 2049, which will see Harrison Ford reprise his role Rick Deckard. The film also stars Ryan Gosling. Per the report, it’s unknown if he’d be involved in any planned TV projects outside of the film reboot.
The new Dune movie is being produced by Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, and Cale Boyter. Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, and Kim Herbert are attached as executive producers.
The original novel tells the story of Paul Atreides, the only son of the noble Atreides family. After his family is given control of the desert planet Arrakis, he travels there with them. Arrakis happens to be the planet which is the source of coveted resource known as Melange aka “the Spice.” However, powerful forces conspire against House Atreides, and Paul and his family are betrayed.
The novel was previously adapted into the infamous 1984 film directed by David Lynch. It later became a SyFy channel miniseries in 2000.