Legendary Entertainment, the team behind Pacific Rim, Interstellar, The Dark Knight, Godzilla, among others, just picked up the rights to the well-received sci-fi novels by Frank Herbert – Dune.
To those who live in the center of a sandstorm, the story is set in a distant future on the desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune where there is conflict between rival noble families as they fight for control of an extremely rare resource called melange – which is also called “the spice”. That said drug allows prescience, which is vital to space travel, making it an important and valuable commodity.
David Lynch originally brought the classic to the big screen in 1984 and then to TV in 2000 via a mini-series by John Harrison, both with polarizing responses.
From the official press release:
Burbank, CA – November 21, 2016 – Legendary and the Frank Herbert estate have reached an agreement granting the production entity the film and television motion picture rights to the beloved novel DUNE, one of the most revered science fiction novels of all time. The agreement calls for the development and production of possible film and television projects for a global audience. The projects would be produced by Thomas Tull, Mary Parent and Cale Boyter, with Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert serving as executive producers.
Set in the distant future, Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides whose family accepts control of the desert planet Arrakis. As the only producer of a highly valuable resource, control of Arrakis is highly contested among the noble families. After Paul and his family are betrayed, the story explores themes of politics, religion, and man’s relationship to nature as Paul leads a rebellion to restore his family’s control of Arrakis.
Dune has long been considered the crown jewel of science fiction properties. Its legacy and influence is witnessed in everything from STAR WARS to THE MATRIX and often referred to as the science fiction version of LORD OF THE RINGS with its sprawling world and multi-dimensional politics.
The agreement was negotiated by Mike Ross and Jen Grazier on behalf of Legendary and Marcy Morris and Barry Tyerman of JTWAMMK on behalf of the Herbert family.
The deal calls for the development and production of possible film and TV projects in the future, though no directors are decked for the project, it’s nice to know that the franchise will breathe new life soon.
This is just wishful thinking but now that the Frank Herbert estate seems to be on the same page with fans recently… How’s about releasing the rights to make a new boardgame again?