Legendary picks up the film and TV rights for Frank Herbert’s Dune

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

In 1965, author Frank Herbert's novel DUNE was published, sparking a franchise that I've always been interested in delving into but have never quite gotten around to. Reading the books, watching the SciFi Channel mini-series adaptations, watching the documentary JODOROWSKY'S DUNE (about Alejandro Jodorowsky's failed attempt to make an adaptation), these things are all on my "To Do" list. I have tried to watch David Lynch's 1984 DUNE film… that didn't go over so well, I need to give that another chance.

Now Legendary Entertainment is looking to bring more DUNE to the world, as the company has acquired the film and television rights to the property from Herbert's estate.

Producers Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, and Cale Boyter, along with executive producers Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, and Kim Herbert, will now embark on developing DUNE "film and TV projects for a global audience."

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.

In addition to Jodorowsky, other filmmakers who have had near misses with DUNE over the years include Arthur P. Jacobs, Ridley Scott, Peter Berg, and Pierre Morel. Clearly there is a good story there, a lot of people are interested in telling it, so I definitely need to get around to finding out more about this world that Frank Herbert created.