Add another remake to the list: Peter Berg has confirmed rumors that he is bringing the sci-fi classic Dune back to the big screen.
The script is still in the drafting stages – it is being penned by Josh Zetumer – and won’t be ready for release for quite a while. Berg (The Kingdom) called the script a “massive epic” that will need to be cut down before filming can begin.
The 1984 film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel was directed by David Lynch (watch the trailer below); Alec Newman directed a Dune miniseries for the Sci-Fi Channel in 2000. Berg sees his version as a different animal.
“I think I had a much more different experience, I think, with the book than David Lynch did. To me, I think my interpretation will feel significantly different from that and the Sci-Fi Channel miniseries that aired. I have a different experience than both of those filmmakers did.”
Berg described Dune as “muscular and adventurous, more violent and possibly even a little bit more fun.” He’s also looking into creating a possible franchise for the film.
No casting announcements have been made this early into development, but rumors about Twilight star Robert Pattinson taking the lead role have been floating around the internet since spring. Berg would only say that he was looking at “guys in their late teens.”
Comments
Sadly it cant be Rob as Berg has said he is looking at teenagers. In any event Berg is sidelined into making Battleships and a war film next so Dune is years off. Rob will be mid 20's by then. I'm not a fan of Dune but I can see that Rob would have been perfect for the role but if Berg wants teenagers then he will be too old. He could play the baddie but I'd rather him play a lead role in Battleships or a baddie in Hancock2
Rob would have been an ideal Paul. Silly Berg for looking too young
Oh please no! Dune is not a one-shot story... It has to be read or viewed more than once to be appreciated at it's fullest. Pattinson's acting is not deep and intricate enough (yet) to be appreciated after one viewing. Try watching Twilight twelve times (what! who doesn't want to look at eye candy while folding laundry?); you'll find that if you look quite closely you see the hesitation in the acting, which I would HATE to see in Dune. I know, you'll all hate me for this... Lapidate the sci-fi geek!
I agree with Kristine about the one-shot story with Dune...Dune is so intricate and detailed which is one of the reasons Lynch failed (epic) with the movie. The mini series was "okay", but nothing to date has ever tracked along with how I thought the book would be adapted for film. Mr. Pattinson WOULD have once been a positive candidate for Paul, but that train has left the station. Maybe he could successfully channel Duncan Idaho? :)
Kristine, I for one DO NOT hate you. Although I never made it through Dune all theway, I know what an epic novel it is & how important it is to the fans. As far as the acting in Twilight, I agree, it was weak. As much as I love Rob & his other work, Twilight was by far the weakest thing he has done yet. He is a fine actor but to cast him in a role like this with these kinds of fans, I just don’t know. Twilight was a book by a 1st time author that to tell the truth was not very well written. I loved the premise of the book & they have just gotten better with each book, so for Rob to carry this franchise is one thing but a masterpiece like Dune? No way. I Do think that Rob has the talent to carry a movie though, don’t get me wrong. He has been fantastic in all his other movies & I hope to see much more of him over the years. He is definitely NOT a one hit or should I say one franchise wonder as the critics are saying. I wish they would give him a break, he is more than Edward Cullen.
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