Caffeinated Clint
“Dune” returning to cinemas?
The Dune Novel Forums via CHUD hints that a remake – well, not really, since it’s origins lie in literary form – of David Lynch’s cult-clusterfuck“Dune” could be in the works. And no, Eraserhead’s pop won’t be calling the shots this time.
In January, one of the site’s head-honcho’s, Byron Merritt (he’s related to Frank Herbert) noted that they’re talking about getting a new movie off the ground.
“We’re just in the talking stages, trying to hammer out an agreeable contract”, says a poster. “That takes time. More time than I ever imagined. Entertainment attorneys love to drag out these negotiations because they make big bucks (our’s makes $600/hour. “It’s all financial right now; how much they’ll pay for the rights mostly. Once we sign over the rights, that’s it, we won’t have any (or at least much) say in who’s cast, who directs, etc”, he said, adding that the film would be budgeted in the $100 million range.
Last week, he revealed that they’re very close to closing the deal.
“Although only rumor, I’ve heard that “someone” at the studio wants Dune reallllly bad and has been a fan of the novel for “years.” They’re not saying who this is (and it might just be hype) but I’m holding out hope that whoever this might be is a big enough fan that he/she will do the book justice. Supposedly it’s some director.”
First of all, it may be as messy as a cat’s litter tray and a bitch to sit through in one sitting, but I like Lynch’s “Dune”. It’s not a no-brainer you can watch over and over again in the “Stakeout” or “Lost Boys” sense – but it’s definitely got its moments and is not without merit. For starters, the production design on the film is amazing. And the cast were terrific. Go read the IMDB listing for “Dune” and you’ll see what I mean – there’s at least ten good names in there. The film must have had something to attract them to it in the first place.
Thing is, Lynch should never have gotten to make “Dune”. It’s not his type of film. He’s a man with abstract and dissimilar tastes that doesn’t appeal to the masses. “Dune”, for all intents and purposes, is a family movie disguised as a science-fiction yarn. It’s the furthest thing from Lynch’s tastes and, well, capability. “Mulholland Drive”… now that’s classic Lynch. “Dune”… that’s what Lynch’s “Return of the Jedi” would’ve been like (true, he was offered the chance to direct “Jedi”). It’s an amazing car crash that you don’t want to look away from.
In recent years, they did “Dune” again as a TV mini-series. Tried watching it, but didn’t get into it. Heard that fans of Uncle Frank’s book were happy with the adaptation though.
I don’t know that “Dune” would be an easy film to make – I think it makes much more sense in paper form than it ever would on film. It’s a bit like a Tom Clancy novel – smart as shit, very detailed and totally gripping but adapt one of them into a movie and they suddenly become light and fluffy blockbusters with only a touch of depth. Some things are just difficult to not only condense but transfer.
And as CHUD reminds us, who the fuck would wanna greenlight a blue-balled project like “Dune”, something that’s going to take at least twelve months to do, in these frightening pre-strike times? Wouldn’t a Japanese anime version do just fine?
Thanks to CHUD for the heads up!
