Continuing a look at remakes this week, Dune is set to return to the big screen in the very near future after one previous failed attempt, as well as a reasonably successful TV mini-series.

David Lynch first adapted Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel from the 1960s about a futuristic intergalactic battle for a spice used for space travel in 1984 starring Kyle MacLachlan and Sting. (Now, that's not actually Sting on the left, but actor Paul Bettany's head on Sting's body, but more on that later).


It was a lavish production, with some great visuals, however trying to condense the sweeping saga - a kind of grown-up Star Wars adventure but with giant sandworms - into a two-hour movie proved too diffucult a task for the ambitious writer-director.



Fans of the book were outraged at the scenes that were left out, and non-fans of the book just didn't get it.

Lynch was originally signed to do two sequels, but the appalling box office returns ensured there would be none. The film cost $40million to make - quite a bit at the time - but made just $30million at the US box office and only a bit more internationally.

For reflection, here's Lynch's Dune in 3-minutes ... And it did look impressive.



Lynch, whose The Elephant Man I enjoyed, gave up on sci-fi and found his niche in the strange and seedy world of sex and violence (not that there's anything wrong with that) of Blue Velvet (1986), Wild At Heart (1990), Twin Peaks (1991)and Mullholland Drive (2001).

Interestingly, according to IMDb.com, before Lynch was assigned, Ridley Scott was set to make Dune but dropped out after his brother died and he ended up doing Blade Runner (1982) instead. It could've been a saving grace.

Lynch himself then turned down the chance to direct Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) for Dune. Oh well.

John Harrison (who learnt his craft on TV series Tales from the Crypt) took the helm of a different approach to bringing Dune to the screen - this time the small screen with a three-part mini-series which aired in 2000.

Starring William Hurt, it was considered a ratings hit for the Sci-Fi Channel and actually earned a follow-up, by way of another mini-series, Children of Dune (2003), with James McAvoy (Wanted).



However, Paramount has apparently been keen to create a successful big budget theatrical version, capable of doing justice to Herbert's epic literary work, and no doubt bring in a little cash at the same time.

Peter Berg (Hancock, Friday Night Lights, The Kingdom) is now in the hotseat, signing on almost 12-months ago to direct. Has it been that long already?

There's been still no casting news yet, but there's been plenty of names being thrown around by fans, including Brian Cox for the villainous Baron Harkonnen, Emile Hirsch as the young hero Paul Attreidis and Paul Bettany for the evil adversary Feyd Reutha, a role made famous by the scantily-clad, albeit fit-looking Sting in the original.

Harrison, the director of the mini-series, is co-producing the new film for Paramount, and told ifmagazine.com just last month: "A terrific young writer, Josh Zetumer will adapt and I wish him all the best. It won’t be easy, I can tell you, but he has great ideas about how to approach this epic material and I’ll bet it comes off as a completely unique version of the Dune saga."

But, I'm sure that's what David Lynch said.

Maybe a planned trilogy in the Lord of the Rings style would be better for Dune's fortunes, but of course, the first hurdle is getting bums on seats for the first one, and that could prove difficult.

Director Berg has shown he can create some impressive images on screen, but hasn't yet provided alot of substance - or even spice ...
We'll wait and see how he goes.

Now, hands up who wants to be in the new movie ...