I can't believe there's no thread on Dune.

It's only one of the GREATEST contributions to sci-fi/fantasy ever composed.

And the David Lynch film is... well... it's something, that's for sure. Not sure what, but it's something. I'm actually a fan, even though I tend to think of it as a different entity than Herbert's novel. The film has some pretty unforgettable scenes.... And I'm nostalgic about it: It was my introduction to Patrick Stewart, and Francesca Annis, and Grima Wormtongue (I mean, Brad Dourif)...

The miniseries has won some praise here and there.

And now... rumors of another big screen adaptation.

I need to pick this up and read it again soon, simply because I miss that world. I love the first book, like the second, love the third, and need to revisit the fourth now that I'm old enough to appreciate it.

So... any fans around here? Of any particular manifestation of the story?

Who would be in your dream cast for Dune?

Duncan Idaho - Christian Bale
Paul Atredes - Scott Mechlowicz
Leto Atredes - Ben Kingsley
Lady Jessica - Michelle Pfeiffer
Thufir Hawat - Peter O' Toole
Stilgar - Alan Arkin

The admin over at the dunenovels.com message board (the Byron referred to at AICN) has been hinting at this for a while now. I hope it works out.

I'm a fan of the Lynch movie, myself, even though it's pretty bad in spots, due to the almost neccessary truncation of the middle section (case in point: the voiceover saying "Paul and Chani's love grew"--then on to the fighting).The production design and (most of) the casting is perfect; they'll be hard-pressed to find a better Lady Jessica than Francesca Annis, though Alice Krige did a good job as an older Jessica in the "Children" mini. And even if the ending is not true-to-form, it's true-to-feel, so I'm fine with it. The miniseries was good for the last two hours, but before that, meh. Not as dense or complex as Lynch's effort, even with all the plot points pretty much intact. (I should note here that I've not read the books--am going through them now, and find that the Lynch movie hews closest to my imaginings than the mini).

Dream cast: Someone mentioned over at dunennovels that James McAvoy, for all that he played Leto II in "Children," would be ideal for Paul--and I find myself agreeing, more or less.

The Baron from the mini could come back as far as I'm concerned-- but John Goodman would be another choice.

YES to O'Toole as Hawat.

I kinda wish Alec Guiness were alive and kicking to play Stilgar--I picture his Lawrence of Arabia character. Someone with that kind of gravitas would be nice.

Christopher Lee as Shaddam IV.

Paris Hilton as Irulan

Peter Berg to direct..





Edit: Hmm. After posting that, it didn't seem to send it to the top of the stack, or indicate outside of the thread that there was a new post. Curious, that.

I was reading some of the discussion going on over at IMDb, and the Dune fan base does not seem too pleased with the announcement of Peter Berg as director. While most of the talk is mainly just whining - and I can understand some of it, Berg hasn't done anything up to this point that remotely shows he has the artistic vision to bring this off - there was one person who suggested an interesting alternate for director... Terrence Malick. Now that's a version I'd be tempted to see.

Berg to direct 'Dune' for Paramount
Peter Berg is attached to direct a bigscreen adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel "Dune" for Paramount Pictures.
Kevin Misher, who spent the past year obtaining the book rights from the Herbert estate, will produce via his Par-based shingle. . . .
The project is out to writers, with the producers looking for a faithful adaptation of the Hugo- and Nebula Award-winning book. The filmmakers consider its theme of finite ecological resources particularly timely. . . .
Variety, March 17

Josh Zetumer in talks for 'Dune'
We have wormsign.
Josh Zetumer is in negotiations to pen the latest incarnation of "Dune," Frank Herbert's sprawling sci-fi epic, for Paramount Pictures. . . .
Kevin Misher is producing the new version through his Paramount-based Misher Films. Herbert's son Brian and Kevin J. Anderson, who have co-written several additional "Dune" novels, will co-produce. Peter Berg is attached to direct. . . .
No one involved would comment on Zetumer's take on the "Dune" saga. The writer, repped by UTA and Management 360, also has "Villain" at 2929 Prods. and "The Infiltrator" set up at Warner Bros. He most recently did production work on the next Bond film, "Quantum of Solace."
Hollywood Reporter, June 6

- - -

Wait a minute, Kevin J. Anderson is co-producing this? I've never had any connection to this franchise, but already I feel sad for the fans. That man's Star Wars novels were so dumb they almost singlehandedly persuaded me not to bother keeping up with those books.

Oh dear. Anderson co-wrote the Dune prequels and sequels with Brian Herbert. I've not read them, but they've got a pretty bad reputation among fans of the originals. Inane, unoriginal, poorly written, all that.

Ackkk! if thats the case then theres only one thing we can do...

Bring in that floating fat man.