March 17, 2008
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.
Herbert's 1965 novel is a sweeping, futuristic tale set on the remote desert planet Arrakis, which produces the interstellar empire's sole source of the spice Melange -- used for distant space travel. An empirewide power struggle ensues over the control of the spice.
Berg would be the latest helmer to take a crack at the property, which spawned a 1984 David Lynch film as well as a 2000 Sci Fi Channel miniseries starring William Hurt.
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.
New Amsterdam's Richard Rubenstein, who produced Sci Fi's "
Dune" and sequel "
Children of Dune," is also producing alongside Sarah Aubrey of Film 44, Berg's production banner. John Harrison and Mike Messina exec produce.
Paramount envisions the project as a tentpole film.
Berg and Misher enjoy strong ties dating back to Misher's executive days at Universal Pictures. Misher also produced Berg's second directorial outing, "
The Rundown."
Actor-turned-helmer Berg most recently directed the upcoming Will Smith starrer "
Hancock." His directing credits include "
The Kingdom" and "
Friday Night Lights."