Frank Herbert’s Dune Novel is Heading Back to the Mainstream

Dune, Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, is about to make a huge comeback. Legendary Entertainment, the company behind Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy as well as the Hangover movies, Jurassic World and Guillermo del Toro’s gothic romance, Crimson Peak, just purchased the TV and film rights to the classic sci-fi story.

According to Deadline, any project that surfaces from this agreement will have Thomas Tull, Mary Parent and Cale Boyter as producers, with Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert acting as executive producers. This doesn’t mean that a TV series or film is already headed our way, but there is a strong possibility that projects based on the book will start developing sometime in the future.

Set in the distant future, the story centers on Paul Atreides and the challenges that arise after his family accepts stewardship over the desert planet Arrakis. What complicates things is the fact that the planet houses a highly coveted spice called melange, which can be found nowhere else in the galaxy. Other nobles contest their control over the planet (and substance), causing someone to betray the family. What occurs next is an exploration of corrupt politics, environmentalism and even gender dynamics.

David Lynch previously adapted the story into a 1984 film starring Virginia Madsen and Kyle MacLachlan. With our current social and political landscape descending into chaos, a reboot couldn’t come at a more appropriate time.

(via Deadline, image via screencap)

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