ROTTEN TOMATOES: And the Possible Dune Remake's Director Might Be...

And the Possible Dune Remake's Director Might Be...

AICN's got a "well-founded rumor."

by Jeff Giles | October 16, 2007

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A few weeks ago, we discussed a CHUD report about Frank Herbert's Dune possibly heading back to the big screen. Now, according to Ain't It Cool News, some of the details surrounding the project might be starting to fill in.

In the CHUD report, Herbert's grandson was quoted as saying:

"We're getting VERY close to a deal. Heard that news today...although only rumor, I've heard that 'someone' at the studio wants Dune reallllly bad and has been a fan of the novel for 'years.' They're not saying who this is (and it might just be hype) but I'm holding out hope that whoever this might be is a big enough fan that he/she will do the book justice. Supposedly it's some director."

According to AICN's Merrick, a source named Checkyr has shared the possible identity of the studio -- and the "someone" -- in question. All the typical rumor caveats apply, but we'll just cut right to the chase. From AICN:

In short, Checkyr says the studio in question is Paramount...which is aggressively building a formidable arsenal of franchises via TRANSFORMERS, JJ Abrams' STAR TREK re-deployment, and spin-off potential built into INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL.

And the director in question? Writer/Director Peter Berg. He directed FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, THE RUNDOWN (hooray for monkey love!), and...more recently...THE KINGDOM.

AICN's commenters have already jumped all over this rumor -- and judging from their comments' subjects, they aren't exactly overjoyed with the news. What say you, RT faithful? Is Berg's name a killing word?

Source: Ain't It Cool News

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Movie:	The Rundown
	Friday Night Lights
	The Kingdom
Celeb:	Peter Berg

(1-20 of 40 posts) | Reply

0LDB0Y writes:
on Oct 16 2007 06:29 AM

Every time you hear of Hollywood doing a remake, an angel gets raped.

(Reply to this)

Defmonkey writes:
on Oct 16 2007 06:35 AM

...in the *** with no lube.

(Reply to this)

dracus writes:
on Oct 16 2007 06:37 AM

They have a chance to finally do justice to Dune and make up for mess that's been made of it in the past, yet they want give it to Peter Berg. Good lord, as much as I hate Michael E-Bay, I'd rather see him direct it instead of Berg. Friday Night Lights was a decent movie, so maybe Berg will be man enough to realise that he's not the one to quarterback Dune and will pass the ball back to Paramount.

(Reply to this)

jacog writes:
on Oct 16 2007 06:43 AM

Noooooooooooooooo!

(Reply to this)

Impavido writes:
on Oct 16 2007 06:48 AM

What?....

My beloved Dune is being handed to that lump of anti-talent...

*Sigh* *Gently caresses David Lynch's Dune DVD.* You knew I'd never cheat on you babe. You're the only one for me.

(Reply to this)

Impavido writes:
on Oct 16 2007 06:50 AM

In his defense he's never made a sci-fi flick before. Maybe he could surprise us.....

or not...

(Reply to this)

Elixor writes:
on Oct 16 2007 07:04 AM

Damn it! I knew that they were going to try to work a spin-off into the new Indiana Jones movie. Get ready for them to try to force a new version of young Indiana Jones down our throat with Shia LaBeouf. Just garbage.

As far as a Dune remake goes. I haven't read the books, so I don't have the gripes about the 1984 version that other people do. I love the original look and feel of this movie and I doubt a remake will be as interesting. Maybe they can appease the fans of the books better with the remake, but that has to be terribly hard considering the size of the book, and from what I hear, it's pretty dense.

(Reply to this)

overthehead writes:
on Oct 16 2007 07:11 AM

Condensing Dune into a movie-length story is a seemingly impossible task. The main problem with the original is there's too much exposition crammed into there, and too many characters to keep track of. I guess Peter Berg's as good as anyone can hope for; this doesn't seem do-able in the first place.

No, I've never read the novel. I couldn't watch the mini-series version (Absurd color scheme, horrible camera angles; some of the worst directing I've ever witnessed), but I don't think I'm the only person who feels this way.

(Reply to this)

FILMCZY writes:
on Oct 16 2007 07:21 AM

Unless they got someone like Peter Jackson to film "Dune" as a "trilogy" so to speak, Hollywood should let this one rest. I thought the TV miniseries did a half decent job though...

(Reply to this)

cmonsteve writes:
on Oct 16 2007 07:29 AM

the only way they should do this is if they commit to the whole series (my director would be ridley scott, thoughts?) i love the books, and i love david lynch's take, but it pissed me off that there was only one.

but i just can't imagine anybody but kyle m saying "i will bend like a reed in the wind"

(Reply to this)

cmonsteve writes:
on Oct 16 2007 07:31 AM

In reply to this comment (#1194585)
you read my mind, too early in the morning for voodoo ESP from the internets

(Reply to this)

renodc writes:
on Oct 16 2007 07:58 AM

The real question isn't should Berg direct, but does this really need to be re-made? The original Dune is still a good film, so why remake it? I can't imagine them making it any better.

(Reply to this)

skasforfags writes:
on Oct 16 2007 08:32 AM

He's not that bad.

(Reply to this)

lukey86 writes:
on Oct 16 2007 09:33 AM

Hey, I think we should give the guy a chance. Friday Night Lights was a good sports movie, that looked very sharp. I would not call this film a remake. It's based on a book so in reality it should be called a new vision. Anyway I'm excited becuase lets face it Lynchs film blew monkey balls. No offense to him, but the film was a horrible adaption. Among the worst book to film I have ever seen. Of course I've yet to see the tv miniseries which I've heard is worse. Also to dracus rather have Micheal Bay are you ****ing serious. Last time i checked the only good thing he made was "The Rock".

(Reply to this)

lukey86 writes:
on Oct 16 2007 09:34 AM

In reply to this comment (#1194692)
Yes it desperatly needs a new version. The old film was terrible in every aspect. God I hate that movie.

(Reply to this)

lukey86 writes:
on Oct 16 2007 09:35 AM

In reply to this comment (#1194581)
Yes it desperatly needs a new version. The old film was terrible in every aspect. God I hate that movie.

(Reply to this)

lukey86 writes:
on Oct 16 2007 09:36 AM

In reply to this comment (#1194581)
Yes it desperatly needs a new version. The old film was terrible in every aspect. God I hate that movie.

(Reply to this)

lukey86 writes:
on Oct 16 2007 09:40 AM

In reply to this comment (#1194581)
You should read the book it is fantastic, and yes your right the task to make this a single movie would be near impossible unless it was well over three hours in length. I would think that doning two movies about two hours maybe a little more would be sufficent. Theres is a good midway stopping point in the book.

(Reply to this)

kdbarrett writes:
on Oct 16 2007 09:48 AM

For those of you who haven't read the book, do yourself a favor and get it today! It is one THE best sf novels ever. A classic that should not be missed.

Peter Berg, huh? I actually liked "The Rundown". Probably because I have low expectations for any movie starring The Rock. But I thought it was a fun action movie and Christopher Walken's always great to see. But Dune? I don't know... Neither of the previous attempts have been awful, IMHO, but neither have they done justice to the book. I'm not sure Berg's the guy to accomplish that but, like Impavido said, maybe he'll surprise us...

(Reply to this)

musiclc writes:
on Oct 16 2007 10:01 AM

Friday Night Lights and the Kingdom were both really good. I'd like to see him do Dune.

(Reply to this)