Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Arrival, Blade Runner: 2049) is bringing Frank Herbert’s Dune back to the big screen for Legendary, potentially with a series of *at least* two movies. Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson are already on board, with Dave Bautista announced earlier this week. THR adds today that Stellan Skarsgård has signed on as well.
“Set in the distant future, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides (Chalamet), whose family accepts control of the desert planet Arrakis. As the only producer of a highly valuable resource, control of Arrakis is highly contested among competing noble families. After Paul and his family are betrayed, the story explores themes of politics, religion, and man’s relationship to nature as Paul leads a rebellion to restore his family’s control of Arrakis.”
The site notes, “Skarsgård will play one of the villains of the piece, Baron Harkonnen, whose family previously ruled Arrakis and has a long hatred of the Atreides family, plotting with the galactic emperor to destroy it. He is also the uncle to the brutish character to be played by Bautista.”
Villeneuve wrote the script, along with Eric Roth and Jon Spaihts.