New “Dune” movie in the works at Legendary

PanARMENIAN.Net - Legendary Pictures has acquired the rights to "Dune", a classic sci-fi novel written by Frank Herbert. The studio and Herbert's estate have reached the agreement which allows the studio to develop film and television projects adapted from the novel for global audiences, AceShowbiz reports.

The studio is teaming up with Universal Pictures for the new movie adaptation. No additional information is available, but "any project will be produced by Thomas Tull, Mary Parent and Cale Boyter, with Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert serving as executive producers," according to Legendary.

"Dune" is set in the distant future. It follows 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.

The novel was adapted into a movie back in 1984 by David Lynch, starring his "Twin Peaks" star Kyle MacLachlan as the lead character. In 2000, a TV series based on the same source material was developed by John Harrison and starred Alec Newman.