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'Arrival' director Denis Villeneuve to helm 'Dune' reboot

The novel was previously adapted as a David Lynch movie starring Kyle MacLachlan.

By Annie Martin
Denis Villeneuve at the National Board of Review gala on January 5, 2016. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Denis Villeneuve at the National Board of Review gala on January 5, 2016. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Arrival director Denis Villeneuve will indeed helm the Dune reboot.

The 49-year-old Canadian director was confirmed Tuesday to direct a new adaptation of the Frank Herbert sci-fi novel.

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"It's official -- Legendary Pictures has signed the very talented Denis Villeneuve to direct the exciting new DUNE series film project," Herbert's elder son, author Brian Herbert, announced on Twitter.

Villeneuve was first linked to Dune in December after Legendary Entertainment acquired the film and television rights to the 1965 novel. He previously expressed his interest in the project in an interview with Variety.

"I'm always looking for sci-fi material, and it's difficult to find original and strong material that's not just about weaponry," he said. "A longstanding dream of mine is to adapt Dune, but it's a long process to get the rights, and I don't think I will succeed."

Dune was previously adapted as a 1984 movie by David Lynch and a 2000 miniseries by John Harrison. The story follows the noble Paul Atreides, whose family controls the planet Arrakis, the only source of the coveted "spice" melange.

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Villeneuve is known for Prisoners and Sicario, and most recently directed Arrival, which is nominated for eight awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, at the Academy Awards. He will also helm the Blade Runner sequel Blade Runner 2049.

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