Legendary Acquires Film and TV Rights On Classic Frank Herbert Sci-Fi Novel 'Dune';Plans The Book To Be A Franchise

By Abe Narra - 23 Nov '16 04:10AM

After numerous failed attempt to do justice on "Dune" on both big and small screen, Legendary has acquired the film and TV rights of the classic Frank Herbert science fiction novel. With the agreement, Legendary is pressured to finally please the fans of the book.

For those who has still not yet read the book, "Dune" tells the story of Paul Atreides whose family accepts control of the desert planet called Arrakis. There have been conflicts between families because of the appointment of control.

Controlling Arrakis, the only producer of a highly valuable resource, is a competition among noble families. After the Atreides have been betrayed, the book explores themes of politics, religion, and man's relationship to nature as Paul leads a rebellion to bring back his family's control of Arrakis.

This is not the first time "Dune" was adapted for both the small and big screens since Herbert wrote this iconic book 51 years ago. Many filmmakers tried but failed over the years to bring "Dune" to life in the way that Herbert and sci-fi fans would be pleased.

The agreement has been done with Mike Ross and Jen Graizer on behalf of Legendary and March Morris while lawyer Barry Tyerman represent the Herbert estate. Legendary is looking at this project as a possible successful franchise.

For Legendary, it actually needs more than one film to bring justice to the book. The company has been looking for a franchise property, especially given their new owners, which spent $3.5 billion to acquire the film company at the beginning of the year.

Several attempts were in the early 1970s, but none succeeded. Masterful director David Lynch tried his skills back in 1984 to bring the "Dune" fans are waiting, but he did not escape the bad luck the books brings to filmmakers.

The movie starred Kyle MacLachlan and was produced by Raffaella and Dino De Laurentiis, but it bombed in the box office and was far from the high quality of work audience have seen from Lynch over his career.

At one point, even Ridley Scott, known for directing Gladiator and The Marian, thought about bringing the story to the screen. A three-part TV mini-series adapted and directed by John Harrison in 2000 that starred William Hurt and Alec Newman was also seen. It won the critics and even getting two Emmy awards.