Paramount's DUNE Film Franchise Project is Dead
Paramount Pictures has killed the Dune film project that they've been trying to get off the ground over the last four years. Their plan was to turn the class Frank Herbert sci-fi novel into an epic film franchise. The studio allowed the rights to the story expire, and they parted ways with the right's holders. Dune is now available for another studio to come in and swoop up to take on the challenge.
Richard P. Rubinstein controls the rights to the franchise and here's what he had to say in a statement,
Paramount’s option has expired and we couldn’t reach an agreement. I’m going to look at my options, and whether I wind up taking the script we developed in turnaround, or start over, I’m not sure yet.
At first the film was going to be directed by Peter Berg, but he left the project for Battleship. After he left Pierre Morel was brought in to bring Dune to life. The script for the film was worked on by Chase Palmer and Josh Zetumer, and there was some good buz surrounding it. Morel seemed incredibly excited for the project and I liked where he was headed with it, but in november the producers of the film started a search for a new director at the last minute, when they knew they were loosing time. So it's something we would have never seen anyway.
Paramount let another film franchise slip through there fingers, and they are currently on the verge of loosing World War Z as well because apparently the studio can decide what they wan to do with these movies. They'll be kicking themselves in the ass when another studio picks up the rights and makes an ass load of money off of it.
I would love to see another Dune film, I think this is one of those stories that really needs a movie overhaul. David Lynch's version wasn't exactly the best adaptation. It was fine for what it was, but Dune has potential to be such a amazing.
Oh well, if Paramount couldn't figure out how to make the movie in four years then they obviously don't deserve to have it. Hopefully it will end up in better hands soon.
What are your thoughts on this?