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Paramount's 'Dune' Adaptation in Trouble, Seeking New Director
by Alex Billington
November 8, 2010
Source: Deadline
Did anyone see this coming? Deadline just published a story about how Paramount is into some deep water over troubles getting their Dune adaptation together. Apparently the rights holders "won't grant another option extension," so they've got until "next spring" to set a start date and be "absolutely confident" in the project, or they'll lose the option. We thought Taken director Pierre Morel was on-board and ready to go with his version, but Deadline says "producers Kevin Misher and Richard P. Rubinstein are going out to directors today to create a new movie out of the 1965 book." They've got a script, but need a new director.
I'm not sure what's holding Paramount back with the versions Peter Berg and Morel worked on. They've got to know this is going to be an expensive, epic adaptation that comes with a lot of picky fanboys, but come on, that can't be it. I was looking forward to seeing someone new take on this adaptation, whether it was Morel or Berg. Paramount "forfeit[s] the six figures it has paid in option costs and risk development costs" if they don't pull this together soon. Deadline adds that one of the reasons why Paramount is concerned is because "from a feature standpoint, the book is indelibly linked to a 1984 David Lynch-directed flop, and there is that lingering memory of a giant desert worm and the rocker Sting." So that is holding them back, really?
Pierre Morel will stay on the project as an executive producer, but isn't directing anymore, so we can throw all of the stuff he said out the window. A fairly new writer named Chase Palmer is behind the latest draft of the screenplay that the producers think is "strong" enough to get a new director. But they can't just wait around on this. "We don't want to extend an option and watch the studio take seven years," Rubinstein says. "This is on a short tether. It's a major book franchise, you can't walk into a store and not see a shelf full of Dune books." We'll keep you guys updated on this, but for now I think all we can do is sit back and hope they pull it all together with a good director soon or let it go entirely and let another studio handle it. Thoughts?
11 Comments
1
I love Dune, but there really isn't an ideal director for this material, no matter how much I want there to be....it's a tough decision for sure.
LINKFX on Nov 8, 2010
2
It's like Robin Hood, how many times can the story be redone. It was done in a cool and dark manner for the big screen in the 80''s and it had an awesome mini-series in the 90's. Focus on making other cool outer space books into movies.
Oric on Nov 8, 2010
3
@ Oric, you have a good point, but the reality is, neither the Lynch film or the miniseries were that great. The narrative and storytelling of the miniseries was great but the production quality was terrible...the film had great production quality but the storytelling was awful. There is a need to make an ultimate be all end all adaptation of this, like the Lord of the Rings.
LINKFX on Nov 8, 2010
4
last i checked this movie has hit more snags than an Australian Sausage, so lets quit beating the body already and admit its dead so we can finally bury it......
Jericho on Nov 8, 2010
5
A screenplay that is strong ENOUGH?? Wow that sounds depressing. "Let's get someone to write a screenplay just so we can get another director and not lose a lot of money. Don't worry if it's a great script, worthy to the book, just make sure it's good enough to make a movie out of."
Dan W on Nov 8, 2010
6
they should ask Lynch again.
wm on Nov 8, 2010
7
They should get Ridley Scott the original intended director before Lynch.
harv on Nov 9, 2010
8
Cursed be your name Paramount. Burning be on you for the abomination you have visited on our Dune. You shall have no soul, no spirit. You shall not be permitted to come up from the depths.
Interested on Nov 9, 2010
10
@ Harv, I'd say that, too, Ridley is perfect for this film...combine "Blade Runner" and "Kingdom of Heaven" and you have "Dune"...but still, I'd prefer to see fresh blood direct this one...just good fresh blood. No idiot like Pierre Morel.
LINKFX on Nov 9, 2010
11
I really wish there was a way to make this book come to life on the big screen..but I can't see it. I say just let it go...But, if somehow they do manage to pull it together quickly, I will be there to watch it in the theater..for good or ill.
RivasEn on Nov 9, 2010
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