New Dune Movie Directed by Peter Berg?

December 21st, 2007 by Jon Roth

Tagged as: Directors, Dune, Movie News, Peter Berg

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.

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8 Comments, add yours

8 Responses to “New Dune Movie Directed by Peter Berg?”

On June 25th 2008, Bob Dawg wrote:

First off, David Lynch FTW. He’s from Montana. Second, “the main trilogy” wasn’t books 1-3. Book 4 was the best one in the series. Brian Herbert’s stuff may be shite, but he got ‘er done with 7-8. Fuck the prequels. You’re welcome.
On July 1st 2008, the force wrote:

Frank Herbert wrote all six ORIGINAL Dune novels. The Butlerian Jihad series and the House series were written by his son Christopher and Kevin J Anderson.
On July 22nd 2008, Marces Williams wrote:

Ok lets set the record straight David Lynch’s adaptation of Dune is stile the best on lony true Dune move made, and for you to say that the SCIFI Channels version of Dune was mor interesting you are a complete fool. The series was complete garbage, it looks like some one made in their basment, I will say it follows the story that Frank Herbert first wrote only because on TV you can make a 6 hour min series and follow the origanal writings closer.

As for you that say you have read the first 6 books by Frank, your coments are off base and true have no ground to stand on. If you would read the background of why Frank Herbert wrote the Dune books you would understand the books more. Mr. Herbert laid the ground work for future books in his notes that he felt behind that he was working on, and his son and a ghost write picked up were his father left off.

To talk about the Dune series you have to refer to all the books as a hole you cant have one with out the other that is how Frank Herbert want the books to read.

In conculsion before you you make a comment about something that you dont understand get your facts straight.
On November 21st 2008, elizabeth wrote:

David Lynch all the way. The SCIFI series was complete garbage. It was lame and never near could be as good as David Lynch`s Dune. David Lynch`s Dune went in to more detail than any of those watered down series on TV. I don`t think a guy who has the mental mind to even be in Corky Romano, would ever top David Lynch`s Dune. He would just ruin it for and most of the other Dune fans.
On December 2nd 2008, Draeon wrote:

Having read all of the Dune novels (including the latest Paul of Dune), I personally think the Lynch version sticks very closely with the emotional content and the Sci-Fi fits very well with the plot but had to be toned down for TV.

I highly encourage another Dune movie. Even if the new movie is shit, at least some people will pick up a copy of Dune again or even for the first time.

Thank you Mr. Herbert.
On April 8th 2009, Zack wrote:

You are the worlds biggest dumb ass. the person who made this page has no idea what he is talking about. If you read anything by brian herbert(who does not even deserve to have his name capitalized) you would know that he had no hand in Frank Herberts masterpiece. To say brian helped Frank write is insanity the writing of brian is SHIT. The new books suck i tossed them in the trash where they belong. Frank was an amazing writer and brian and kevin have ruined the Dune world. Fuck them I hope they burn in hell.
On June 24th 2009, David wrote:

I haven’t read any of the Brian Herbert/KJ Anderson novels. I have read some of KJA’s Star Wars stories, and like most Star Wars novels, they read a bit like children’s novels. Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Dune: Chapterhouse are all written solely by Frank Herbert and all very adult in nature, and the degree to which they do so elevates as you find your say through the story arc that covers multiple millennia. There is something about the mysticism of the novels that no screen depiction yet has encompassed. I’m not sure the screen can do it. Lynch’s Dune is mildly entertaining, not very good looking, in my opinion(normally I am a fan of his work, but to be frank, Dune puts me to sleep). The Sci-fi miniseries when taking into account the budget is fairly well done. It’s no where near fantastic, and ever since I saw it I’ve been hoping that someone would try to tackle it with a fairly large budget. I have read that Peter Berg has read into the story a more “muscular” tone and imagery, which I agree with. I love the idea of making this into a fairly big-budget affair, but I still have doubt that the screen can capture it. I tell everyone who hasn’t read it to read Dune, and I tell everyone who has read Dune to read the other 5 Frank Herbert novels in the series. I’m excited. The only thing that concerns me is the casting.
On September 17th 2009, AL wrote:

You all need to relax and get your heads out of your ass’s. Sure Brian Herbert may not be his father but thats no reson to want him dead or say his novels are crap. At least he has kept Dune alive in one way or another, thats more than any of you can say.

Stop reading his work just so you can compare it to his father, read it to have fun and enjoy a good book.

Same thing go’s for the movie, don’t go see it just so you can complain about it, go see so you can enjoy a new concept of Dune, and share it with your friends and family.