Fans of Frank Herbert’s Dune novels are not generally enamored of the Dune movie that Sting was in (image above), which was made by David Lynch, whose films are always controversial. As a long-time Dune and Herbert fan, I hated Lynch’s movie but loved most of the casting. Also, the movie only covered book 1 and part of book 2. Book 3 wasn’t covered, and books 4-6 that Herbert’s son (I believe) had a hand in weren’t even on the Radar. Well Dune fans rejoice, Peter Berg has apparently confirmed rumors a new Dune movie that he’ll direct, etc.
Berg says that only the writers’ strike is keeping them from working on it, and that there’s room for a remake. No doubt. Hopefully he’ll do three films, to cover the main trilogy. (I didn’t care for books 4-6 or however many else, despite being a fan of many of Herbert’s other books. He was a very thorough writer who’d spend a lot of time researching before creating a new world. I could be wrong, but I don’t think his son is as thorough.)
The Dune books are too complex to be treated lightly in a film, and too much narration (again) could ruin it. There was a TV mini-series in 2000 that I felt was actually much more interesting – easier to do, considering it was several hours longer than Lynch’s movie. (I can’t think of a single Lynch movie I actually liked – ever. So from my point of view, that’s not hard.)
Berg has been an actor (Lions for Lambs, Alias, Corky Romano, Chicago Hope), writer (Hancock, Friday Night Lights, Wonderland, Chicago Hope), producer (Lars and the Real Girl, The Kingdom, Friday Night Lights, Wonderland), director (Hancock, The Kingdom, Friday Night Lights, Wonderland). I’ve actually not watched most of these other than Corky Romano (ugh) and Wonderland, but I’m willing to give him a chance.
There’s no script yet, but no doubt some qualified writers (hey, pick me), a good script, a good ensemble of actors that understand the characters, and state of CGI and special effects today, and we could have something that’s closer to Frank Herbert’s vision.
