It's "a done deal," Berg says "if it weren't for the writer's strike, we'd be in it right now" and calls the film's scale "big, big big ." Berg says that while there's no script yet, but they have a list of writers they plan to go out to once the strike settles.
But before he tackles Dune Berg's next gig has him directing the Tom Cruise thriller "Edwin A. Salt."
"Dune" has been translated twice to screen before -first in the empty yet still visually stunning 1984 film by David Lynch (pictured), and then as 4 and half hour cable mini-series from 2000 that went more by the book.
At first glance Berg seems a very unlikely choice for this project...That said, I expect the new flick to much more satisfying than either previous efforts--with Berg on the case.
I wouldn't call Lynch's "Dune" 'empty' - it was merely a very ambitious film of an incredibly ambitious, complex book. For those wanting more, there's always a TV version which "dumbs things" down a bit in terms of extended scenes and exposition. Sci-Fi Channel mini-series was decent, but lacked the epic saga of Lynch's.
ReplyDeleteDune books span centuries, they're so densely packed with history and philosophy. Author Frank Herbert's message of ecological disaster brought on by over mining of spice or 'melange', a metaphor for oil, has never been more timely considering our current environmentally aware situation.
As a huge fan of Herbert's work and having read all the books, I hope Berg emphasizes that ecological message, since Herbert was a staunch ecologist. Also, people point to Lucas/StarWars being influenced by Sat matinée serials and Kurosawa's film "The Hidden Fortress", however the theme of Paul in Dune as "chosen" one - fighting a dark power - bringing people together using "force" like powers may have been just coincidental, or Lucas was himself a fan of Dune.
oops I forgot something!
ReplyDeleteWhy is Locutus Of Borg in that Dune photo?
Couldn't resist! ; )