JULY 16, 2018 1:16pm PT by Borys Kit
Timothee Chalamet in Talks to Star in Denis Villeneuve's 'Dune'

Better hydrate.

Timothee Chalamet, who was nominated for an Oscar for his breakout performance in Call Me by Your Name, is in negotiations to star in Dune, Legendary’s adaptation of the Frank Herbert novel being directed by Denis Villeneuve.

Villeneuve, the filmmaker behind Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival, is producing the feature adaptation along with Mary Parent and Cale Boyter.

The novel, initially published in the 1960s, tackles political, religious and environmental themes through a sci-fi lens, telling the complex story of a fallen noble family’s attempt to control a desert planet named Arrakis and its export, a rare spice drug, while being betrayed by a galactic emperor.

Paul Atreides is the lead character, the son of the ruler of the family, who is forced to escape into the desert wastelands and partner with its nomadic tribes. Using enhanced mental abilities, he eventually rises to become their ruler, the nomads believing he is their messiah, and leads an army to overthrow the empire.

The book, which launched a novel series that lasted beyond Herbert’s death, was first adapted into a 1984 bomb directed by David Lynch with Kyle MacLachlan as the lead.

Legendary is eyeing an early 2019 start of production.

Chalamet is repped by UTA and Ginsburg Daniels.

it's a shame this isn't being developed as an HBO series. As acclaimed as this book is, I just don't see that kind of cerebral sci-fi making enough at the box office to justify filming the sequels.

JANUARY 07, 2019 1:31pm PT by Borys Kit


The 'Blade Runner 2049' actor has been added to the high-profile cast of Legendary’s adaptation of the Frank Herbert novel.

Dave Bautista has joined the high-profile cast of Dune, Legendary’s adaptation of the Frank Herbert novel being directed by Denis Villeneuve.

Timothee Chamalet and Rebecca Ferguson are already toplining the project, which tells the complex story of a fallen noble family’s attempt to control of a desert planet named Arrakis and its export, a rare spice drug, while being betrayed by a galactic emperor.

Chalamet is set to play Paul Atreides, the son of the ruler of the family, who is forced to escape into the desert wastelands and partner with its nomadic tribes. Using enhanced mental abilities, he eventually rises to become their ruler, with the nomads believing he is their messiah, and leads an army to overthrow the empire.

Ferguson will portray Atreides’ mother, Lady Jessica, who escapes with him into the desert and helps him become a savior in their eyes.

Bautista will play "Beast" Rabban, the sadistic nephew of a baron who oversees Arrakis.

Villeneuve, Eric Roth and Jon Spaihts wrote the script. Villeneuve is also producing along with Mary Parent and Cale Boyter.

Bautista previously worked with Villeneuve on 2017's Blade Runner 2049, in which the actor had a key role that featured a smackdown with Ryan Gosling.

Bautista has a big year ahead, with the MMA wrestler turned actor reprising his role of Drax for Avengers: Endgame; starring with Kumail Nanjiani in the Fox action comedy Stuber; and starring in the action-comedy My Spy.

Bautista is repped by CAA.

My first impulse when this was announced is that Baustia would be playing Gurney Halleck.

Stellan Skarsgard to Play Villain in ‘Dune’ Movie
By DAVE MCNARY Film Reporter @Variety_DMcNary

Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard will portray the villain Baron Harkonnen in Legendary’s sci-fier “Dune,” based on the Frank Herbert novel.

Denis Villeneuve is directing from a script he wrote with Eric Roth and Jon Spaihts. Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, and Dave Bautista are starring. Production is expected to launch in the spring in Budapest and Jordan.

“Dune” centers on the battle for control of the desert planet Arrakis. Chalamet is playing Paul Atreides, who is forced to escape into the wastelands, where he eventually becomes the ruler of the nomadic tribes.

Villeneuve is also producing along with Mary Parent and Cale Boyter. Skarsgard’s credits include both “Mamma Mia” movies, “Thor,” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”