Originally published November 21, 2016. Updated April 16, 2018.
Legendary Entertainment has reached a deal with the estate of Frank Herbert to acquire the film and television rights to his iconic 1965 sci-fi novel Dune. The studio is looking to launch the property as a franchise with potential film and TV projects aimed at a global audience.
Dune has twice been adapted for the screen, with David Lynch directing a feature film version in 1984, while Syfy also aired a three-part miniseries adaptation titled Frank Herbert’s Dune in 2000, which was followed by the 2003 sequel Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune. Beyond that, there have been several unsuccessful attempts to bring the project to life from filmmakers such as Alejandro Jodorowsky (chronicled in the documentary Jodorowsky’s Dune), Peter Berg and Pierre Morel.
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.”
