It seems like there’s a new bit of casting news for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune every day, each announcement more impressive than the last. Today is no exception: Thanos himself, Josh Brolin, has officially signed on.
Legendary has not confirmed who Brolin will play in Dune, but Variety is reporting he’ll play “Gurney Halleck, the warmaster for Chalamet’s family and a mentor to his character.” That role was originally played by Patrick Stewart in the David Lynch film. This new version will be co-written by Villeneuve along with Eric Roth and Jon Spaihts. Dune is an adaptation of the classic Frank Herbert science fiction novel, about a young man named Paul Atreides whose family controls the desert planet Arrakis. Villeneuve plans to split the story into two parts. Here’s the full synopsis:
As the only producer of a highly valuable resource, control of Arrakis is highly contested among the noble families. After Paul and his family are betrayed, the story explores themes of politics, religion, and man’s relationship to nature as Paul leads a rebellion to restore his family’s control of Arrakis. The project will be produced by Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, and Villeneuve. Thomas Tull will executive produce along with Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert for the Frank Herbert estate and Kevin J. Anderson will serve as a creative consultant.
Brolin joins an already stacked cast that includes Timotheé Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, and Rebecca Ferguson as the members of House Atreides, with Javier Bardem, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, Dave Bautista, and Stellan Skarsgård in supporting roles. No word yet on who Brolin will play. [/nerdist_section]
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This will be the second attempt to bring Herbert’s opus to the big screen, after David Lynch’s much-maligned attempt in 1984. The dense novel is a sprawling family saga with hundreds of characters, so adapting it has been a challenge for everyone who’s dared to attempt it. Time will tell if Villeneuve can succeed where Alejandro Jodorowsky failed, but with a cast this excellent, he’s off to an impressive start.
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Image: Dinsey/Marvel
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