Dune reboot lands Academy Award-winning screenwriter

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Not long ago we told you guys that Legendary had closed a deal with the Frank Herbert estate granting the studio rights to not only films but also TV projects on his classic sci-fi novel DUNE.  The book has sold almost 20 million copies since its original release and in 2003 was named the best-selling sci-fi novel of all time.

The novel was famously made into a film back in 1984 by the genius David Lynch, but that adaptation was a flop and critically panned, so no future films were made. ARRIVAL and BLADE RUNNER 2049 director Denis Villeneuve is at the helm of the new movie, and now it seems the project has a screenwriter in the form of Eric Roth.

DUNE synopsis:

Set in the distant future, “Dune” follows Paul Atreides, whose family assumes control of the desert planet Arrakis. As the only producer of a highly valuable resource, jurisdiction over Arrakis is contested among competing 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 reign.

This will be Eric Roth’s first sci-fi script, having written such classics as FORREST GUMP, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, and the badass MUNICH.

We’ll let you know when we hear more on Denis Villeneuve’s DUNE.