I get the feeling Berg is trying to outdo Peter Jackson with this one. Dune is the SF equivalent of Lord of the Rings after all and Berg's backlog of movies is considerably less impressive than PJ's was when he took on LOTR. I think a lot of us were surprised that PJ got the go ahead for LOTR (thank god he did though) - so maybe Berg can pull this off. Still, we don't need another half-baked Dune movie so it would have been reassuring if someone with a more impressive list of movies to their credit was directing this.

Lynch should have done LOTR. PJ's work is artisticly weak entertainment aimed at the focus groups fantasy of the suger drooling usa-ian family. :'(

...that they get the look and feel right. I'm a BIG fan of the Lynch movie. I think the look and feel captured the DUNE universe just right even if the plot was mangled. Anyone else feel the same? I felt the SF channel's version while more true to the storey was kind of shoddy when it came to depicting this epic storey.

K

Couldn't agree with you more K. Adams. I enjoy both Lynch's version and the SciFi channel miniseries for the reasons you give: Lynch captures the feel of the Dune universe perfectly and the miniseries tells the story better (though that is a relative statement and here's hoping the new movie gets it perfectly right).

K. Adams and Gerard: (both) SF channel miniseries were low-budget. And even so the look and feel as well as story were better captured by SF then Lynch for me (and I do love the Dune movie, it was the main thing that made me read all the books). Lynch view was too dark... even the movie itself is too dark. Sure, they traveled mainly during the night, but Arrakis was a no cloud (except for the coriolis, sand storms), full of sun desert for most part (except the poles). The housing, navigators, bene gesserit, kaitan, giedi prime... The only two things I see more "arrakian" to me in Lynch movie is the palace and the water deposits. All I hope is that the story is followed (and that they even use, if not all, many of the lines in the book), and since they have a nice budget (compared to SF channel miniseries), they can make a good representation of duniverse :)

Three things.
#1. Ornithopters have flapping wings!
#2. THERE ARE NO WEIRDING MODULES!
#3. Sardaukar are humans and breathe normal air, thus they do not need spacesuits with easily broken faceplates!

I pray to the gods of dune that they get some of it right. Being a HUGE fan of the entire series (ive read it so many times), ive come to expect a LOT from any movie that attempts to do justice to the series.
i felt that Lynch movie got the "atmosphere" right, but butchered the story as much as the SCIFI series did. SO many unecessary changes to characters and ideas were changed.

ANd to Gregg E, #1, Hell yeah! i dont know why they can never get the ornithopters right. IF they had read the books Herbert does more than enough descrpition to make them look right.

I feel that the best book in the series was God Emporer, followed by children. IF they ever attempted God Emporer, i hope to god they do Leto right. He gives a complete description of his proportions and how he moves himself, but knowing modern hollywood, theyll give some guy a big snake suit with a hole cut out for the face.

The real problem I had with the Lynch version is Paul seems to accept his godhead where in the books he's trying in vain not to.

First of all- I liked some aspects of the David Lynch film, but was bothered by quite a bit- aside from the obvious plot problems. One of the biggest liberties he took is with those nonsensical "weirding" weapons. This time around, let's hope they stick to the original concept. It seems pretty natural, since the ultra-fast Bene Gesserit fighting style will lend itself to some pretty killer "bullet-time" action sequences. I also hope the casting is better this time around. All in all, there's just way too much information in each of the Dune books to make movies from them- let's hope they edit carefully and add nothing that wasn't there to begin with. I really hope they go in depth into some of the philosophical and spiritual aspects of Herbert's work- and please o please don't let them downplay the psychedelic nature of The Water of Life. It's always tricky business trying to put the experience of using psychedelics onto film since such drugs effect your thinking even more than they do what you see and here- but when done right such scenes can be mindblowing. If this first movie is good, I do hope they manage to make the whole series. In the end, no matter how good the movie or movies turn out, nothing will compare with the books. I'm half way through re-reading the entire series right now and I'm even more blown away this time than I was the first.

One thing I'd really like to know is where to send submissions. I'm a huge fan of the series, and have been unsatisfied with the offerings in bringing Dune to screen, so far. My heart about skipped 2 beats and then kicked into overdrive upon seeing not only that there's a new movie coming, but that Berg is striving to be true to the original book - and especially that they're looking for a script!

I hope they're soliciting scripts somewhere. I have wanted to actually produce some sort of screen adaptation - webisodes, perhaps - in CG since I have no budget, but doing so would clearly be a tremendous undertaking. It is better yet to jump on the bandwagon of something that could clearly be headed for greatness.

I have been a Dune fan since I was 15 years old, (nearly 40 years ago!) and am still fascinated by Frank Herbert's first four novels in the series (thought he lost the plot a bit for 5 and 6, but that's just me and I never took an interest in Brian and Kevin's books). I will also take a very great interest in the new movie as I thought Lynch's effort in 1984 was simply dreadful, an absolute travesty - one of the great disappointments of my movie-watching life! The TV mini-series' were much better efforts but not without their problems. Herbert's original books were complex and brilliantly melded religious and ecological concepts to create a truely incredible universe. The only way that justice could possibly be done to the story are for a series of movies as with LOTR. In fact, the first novel alone should take two movies to cover properly. I've been waiting for many years to see a faithful adaptation to Frank's amazing story and my fingers are firmly crossed!

I've been waiting a great dune adaptation for many years too. I don't know but the best thing of Lynch s movie was Toto and Eno music. For the next movie the soundtracks must be something even better (if that is possible)or perhaps the same but improved.

8)

I'm glad to here that DUNE is being re-made....again.
Whilst I do hold some reservations concerning the choice of a little known director, who I've never heard of(at least I'd been into early Peter Jackson films)...I still think that it's good someone decided to give this a go. :)

Yeah I agree totally in the idea that the timing couldn't be more perfect in terms of Global Warming and the renewed public interest in ecological study.
Besides........

The memory of Frank Herbert deserves to be strengthened and honored by a decent string of impressive films.

In the previous two attempts, the characters were either wooden and 1 dimensional, or bizarrely altered so as to 'modernize' them, or something atrocious. Please keep in mind that these characters in the original vision were very nuanced. As an example, Paul was not a whimsical, moody kid (oh please), but rather a well-trained, aristocrat's son, with poise, grace, manners, knowledge, and insight; he lacked (and gained) wisdom and experience.

Plot. Please don't re-arrange events, or people, or whole events. This is important for everything. Also, do not introduce soap-opera elements to 'tweak' the story. Don't put romance where it does not belong. Don't make people petulant or irrational when they never were.

Intent: Dune was NOT fantasy! The abilities and capabilities were achieved through breeding, training, society; SHOW this. It was not technology (weirding modules? huh?) It was sheer force of will and ability.

Jesus, I could go on forever...

In the previous two attempts, the characters were either wooden and 1 dimensional, or bizarrely altered so as to 'modernize' them, or something atrocious. Please keep in mind that these characters in the original vision were very nuanced. As an example, Paul was not a whimsical, moody kid (oh please), but rather a well-trained, aristocrat's son, with poise, grace, manners, knowledge, and insight; he lacked (and gained) wisdom and experience.

Plot. Please don't re-arrange events, or people, or whole events. This is important for everything. Also, do not introduce soap-opera elements to 'tweak' the story. Don't put romance where it does not belong. Don't make people petulant or irrational when they never were.

Intent: Dune was NOT fantasy! The abilities and capabilities were achieved through breeding, training, society; SHOW this. It was not technology (weirding modules? huh?) It was sheer force of will and ability.

Jesus, I could go on forever...

It's really amazing to hear that a new Dune movie is coming :) The main idea of Dune is really amazing. Respect for the Dune :) I can't wait!

Being a fan of the books I think Lynch's version was right on in terms of atmosphere and looks (eg the contrasts between the palaces on Caladan and Arrakeen). The miniseries had the luxury to go into more detail with the plot, but totally messed up with casting and visuals. Next to being true to the plot and philosophy, I think, esthetics and atmosphere count a lot in Dune. I always hoped someone like Bertolucci would direct Dune, as he is expert in encompassing both the grandiose and the very intimate, with a uncanny feel for esthetism (The Last Emperor is a perfect example). Looking at Berg's filming pedigree, I am not totally reassured for the final result...

I can't wait to read sandworms of Dune, I was completly blown away by the worms swimming in the ocean , with buoy like thumpers, just can't afford to drop $30 but the paperback comes out July 1st

David Lynch's DUNE movie was very important for me. I had seen it in a cinema when it came out in '84 and I was too young to understand the plot (I went with my dad), and the imagery gave me nightmares! Back then I didn't know how strongly this would influence me... on the creative side, at least.

In 1989, a teacher made me a copy of a very worn-out VHS tape with DUNE on it. I had to watch it again a couple of times and still found the plot confusing. It took quite a while until I grasped all of it. I read the first DUNE novel a bit later, it took me a year. I'm not a fast reader, and the books have their lengths -- they go into a lot of detail.

I don't think I would've picked up the books if it had not been for the Lynch movie. Even before I understood the story, I was completely fascinated with the atmosphere the movie created. There is a lot of strangeness that's gripped me in ways I cannot really describe. I can understand the people for whom the movie was a failure, but for me, it is a masterpiece. As are the books, of course.

I don't think you can compare the DUNE series with LOTR. Much of DUNE is an intricate description of the DUNE universe with a lot of focus on philosophy and the characters' thoughts. This is hard to transfer onto the screen – in contrast to LOTR which has a lot of action going on, which lends itself well to a movie adaption. It's much easier to find an audience for LOTR than for DUNE. DUNE is much more demanding, for everybody, including the audience. It needs much more sensitiveness and much greater attention to detail to be really appreciated. I don't think it's possible to make a series of movies out of DUNE as has been done with LOTR. Also, the LOTR fanbase appears to be some orders of magnitude larger than that for DUNE. I'd expect the producers to take that into consideration.

There is a lot at stake. AFAIK, DUNE was not a great financial success, and a second movie that was in planning was never completed because of that. A new DUNE movie must not be a box-office failure, no matter how well it will be received artistically.

So, all in all, this will be a very demanding project. I'm hoping for the best.

David Lynch's DUNE movie was very important for me. I had seen it in a cinema when it came out in '84 and I was too young to understand the plot (I went with my dad), and the imagery gave me nightmares! Back then I didn't know how strongly this would influence me... on the creative side, at least.

In 1989, a teacher made me a copy of a very worn-out VHS tape with DUNE on it. I had to watch it again a couple of times and still found the plot confusing. It took quite a while until I grasped all of it. I read the first DUNE novel a bit later, it took me a year. I'm not a fast reader, and the books have their lengths -- they go into a lot of detail.

I don't think I would've picked up the books if it had not been for the Lynch movie. Even before I understood the story, I was completely fascinated with the atmosphere the movie created. There is a lot of strangeness that's gripped me in ways I cannot really describe. I can understand the people for whom the movie was a failure, but for me, it is a masterpiece. As are the books, of course.

I don't think you can compare the DUNE series with LOTR. Much of DUNE is an intricate description of the DUNE universe with a lot of focus on philosophy and the characters' thoughts. This is hard to transfer onto the screen – in contrast to LOTR which has a lot of action going on, which lends itself well to a movie adaption. It's much easier to find an audience for LOTR than for DUNE. DUNE is much more demanding, for everybody, including the audience. It needs much more sensitiveness and much greater attention to detail to be really appreciated. I don't think it's possible to make a series of movies out of DUNE as has been done with LOTR. Also, the LOTR fanbase appears to be some orders of magnitude larger than that for DUNE. I'd expect the producers to take that into consideration.

There is a lot at stake. AFAIK, DUNE was not a great financial success, and a second movie that was in planning was never completed because of that. A new DUNE movie must not be a box-office failure, no matter how well it will be received artistically.

So, all in all, this will be a very demanding project. I'm hoping for the best.

It is my fervent wish that Lynch's hopeless mess of Frank Herbert's brilliant story is eventually forgotten about and ends up on the scrapheap of movie history. Surely one of the worst movies ever made. The Scifi Channel's efforts were vastly more faithful to both the story and the overall feel of the books. As for the prequels? Forget them! We can only keep our fingers crossed that any new movie keeps faith with Frank's original vision.

Some of you have commented on miscasting in the Dune miniseries--I have to say tho' that James McAvoy as Leto II was a good cast, and would make a fine worm. As for the original film, Francesca Annis was great as the Lady Jessica, and Jurgen Prochnow as the Duke. They were good. Maybe they will find actors like them. I'm looking forward to a new Dune rendering. I liked all the pre-quels too.

Please please make this work Dune is got to be the best science fiction of all time!!

I'm quite suprised at a few of the comments on here, personally I thought Lynch's Dune was wonderful. The atmosphere was perfect, and the darkness has allowed it to age beautifully.

The TV series I found to look cheap and... well... like a TV series. Just personal taste I guess.

The books are fantastic and I felt Lynch captured Dune perfectly, I know there were changes, but nothing that hindered the overall plot and I understand the limits of condensing it down. Overall I don't think a better job could have been done!

That they are making another adaptation of Dune. Lynch's version was absolutely horrific. The Sci-fi miniseries of Dune and Children of Dune were definitely better, but still not without their flaws. So I cannot wait until this new adaptation comes out. Perhaps it will be more true to the novels. But one thing I am kind of disappointed with is it seems there is never going to be a production of the later sequels. When is a God Emperor of Dune ever going to be filmed. I mean I am happy that they are trying to more accurately depict the novels but MOVE ON ALREADY...FINISH THE STORY!!!

As a devoted fan of the Dune series - including those books by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson - I am eagerly awaiting this movie. I see many different things in the versions done so far, and I'm sure there will be variances from the book in this next version. I know to some degree this does matter, but on the other hand - is every account of the story of Jesus in the bible exactly the same? Just the differences seen by different people. It's still Dune - still Arrakis - and still REAL!
Read the books (all of them BH&KA included - amazing how many references to things in these that were made by Frank in the originals!); seen the movies; now listening to the cd's (I don't h ave time to read them again).
It's my world, my universe, my DUNE.

I think that the old Dune movie was crap as a faithful Frank Herbert imagining. The second attempt by the Sci-Fi channel was much better, and I love that movie. The only problem I had with it was just the minor plot problems, and the fact that the navigators could bend space time?!?!?! That isn't at all what he had in mind in his books. They saw the future for cryin' out loud. They deffinatly need to be careful when casting. Don't have to be big name actors or anything, but they should be good enough that they will be remembered for their parts in it. They should touch more on what Duke Leto wanted the Freeman for... I have had enough of the crap with the new weapons crap from the old movie too...

I think Dune will be better as dark and gothic as David Lynch did it. Coub Harkkonen in a Japanese suit (SciFi Channel) was merde!. And who can be concerned about the BG if they are not skinheads and dressed in long black abbas? Please, a little more of respect about the thrilling atmosphere of David Lynch's art designers!

Somebody here said that perhaps what Dune need is an experienced director. In my humble opinion, Dune not only needs experience, but someone that truly understands what fantasy and science fiction are. Peter Jackson, George Lucas or Steven Spielberg would make the best choices in Hollywood. Their experience in similar movies is notable, plus, they are commercial and action directors, and definitively Dune is an expensive story that needs to be a blockbuster to be a good investment for ParamountPictures. Lych...I'm sorry, but the guy is too experimental for a blockbuster. He was a a bad choice.

This is fantastic news. I liked Lynch's film although the plot was mangled(Muad'Dib creates rain?)
I can only hope it will have the plot from the books and the atmoshpere of David Lynch's

Loved the movie as a kid, and still do. The movie made me read the books. I was so disappointed that the weirding modules were not in the book - I had to reread several pages to make sure I hadn't missed it.
Anyway, with today's CGI stuff, the shields are guaranteed to be a little cooler. Two words ... Duncan Idaho.

I first read Herbert's Dune in a science fiction course I took last semester and I was just shocked by the parallels between the plot of the book and the current political arena. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that one of the main motifs of the book is that of a clash of civilizations; namely, the indigenous population trying to defend their land against foreign invaders. I sincerely hope the theme of modern-day colonialism can be manifested through this classic.

. . . IMHO, They need to read the books and "Cut it" in parts, then see how many hours it would take to do all the parts properly. If it takes 3 movies of 3 hours, then do it like LOTR, take your time, get it right, and the audience will just be thankfull and numerous.

. . . The audiences nowaday, can afford to watch an epic story in multiple films, it's a proven fact (LOTR, Harry potter)... we also can wait a couple years for it to unfold; Dont serve us fast food and make us sick.

. . . I have read all the way until chapterhouse book, and DUNE really deserves it's place on the big screen, without being butchered (again) and without focusing on action only. Althout the 2 other adaptation had good and bad points, they should be looked upon and learned from to prevent doing the same mistakes again.

. . .In conclusion, if they give it everything they've got and manage to pull through, It's a safe bet they'll move on to the other books. I hope DUNE passes the "trial by fire" this time around.

As excited as I am at the prospect of a new adaption of Dune, I have to believe that there is NO way ANYONE could capture the nuances of Frank Herbert's classic. Having said that, it was the Lynch movie that inspired me to start reading the whole series in the first place. Rarely do movies capture the essence of the books for which they adapt. The problem is that our imaginations create a better vision for each individual. That goes 100 fold for a books like the Dune saga. The best example of a non-Herbert book that even comes close (but still no comparison) is Battlefield Earth and we all know how that movie turned out. Some literary masterpieces are simply too grand to be duplicated in a two hour movie or even series of movies. LOTR was as good as it gets but even there SO much is lost in the translation from one media to the other. How can they possibly tell the story with out at least a thorough backstory of thinking machines, Budislamic Fremen on Arrakis, and the foundation of the Padesha Empire. I almost hate to say it but it seems like you would almost have to start any Dune series off with the three prequels by Kevin Anderson and Brian Herbert starting with the Butlarian Jihad for the average moviegoer to be able to follow the story without first reading the books.

Great News.The Lynch film I thoroughly enjoyed. Having read the book twice before I saw it helped a huge amount, and I totally understand why it flopped, and why people were confused. There simply is too much to fit into one film, and Lynch did the best he could with the resources provided. The plus points of it was the fantastic sets, the 'atmosphere', and some of the characters. (Patrick Stewart as Gurney was brilliant, the Baron was horrible - and totally perfect, and Jessica was portrayed perfectly). The sandworms were excellent too, as well as the score. The SF adaptation I enjoyed too, though I preferred the 'darker' complexity of Lynch's movie, and the effects were a bit cheap, and didn't lead to the 'epic' feel. However, it included an awful lot of the book, and that is NEVER a bad thing.nnI really hope that this movie isn't jammed into one. Some creative license will be required to beef up some action sequences, to sell it to a wider audience, and some of the confusing water of life related themes may need to be watered down( ^^). However I really hope they keep the strong ecological/religious themes, and of course sandworms/fremen vs sardaukar in the epic style that LOTR managed with their battles. nnYou have to understand that the movie will require some subtle alterations to sell it to a wider audience. I would be happy with this - I would love more people to 'get into' Dune, and perhaps pick up the book. Think what they're missing!

The Sci-Fi Channel's Dune was great it' would be a waste of time and money to do another adaption of the original book. I love Dune too but let's see more of Mr. Herbert's vision and go on to another chapter like God Emperor. The Sci-Fi version was better than the 1984 version and explained the Weirding way, as a martial art, which made more sense than those stupid sound moduals. Also FYI Lynch only EDITED some other director's work, Lynch did not "make" the original Dune Movie get your facts straight! Let's move on to Emperor, a book that would present a new complex challenge that is what movie makers do and what audiences want, if George Lucas, instead of working on the negetives of the original Star Wars during the making of the Special Edition, decided it was too much of a challenge and just remade the whole trilogy with new sets and actors where would Star Wars be today? I'll tell you where, in post-pproduction he'd have set the franchise back twenty whole years! Move on to NEW adventures.

Star Wars is easily the antagonist v. protaganist--father v. son--in our less than patriarchal now--father v. daugher. Simple hero delineation. Loved it, even with the Renaissance derivative. Dune is much more complex--thanks for the premise in the prequels--a la the son Herbert. I recently received a CD in the mail: "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West" from Clarion Press. History repeats itself. Hate to quote Harry Seldon....won't go there--who do you think is "The Mule" for us? Patchwork--but still looking for the truth.

Allison in Pensacola

I welcome any attempt at the Dune television/movies. At least I will be able to read the books over again with new visuals.

Creating a screen adaptation of Herbert's epic novels will be extremely difficult but not impossible. We've come a long in the motion picture industry. Classics like The Ten Commandments, Wizard of Oz, Lord of the Rings, Matrix, etc., were all done cleverly and with immense imagination and use of the newest movie and computer technology. The script is nothing without the visuals.

I just hope that the new movie will give it the ooomph that was the big attraction to the novels. I would like to see the Bene Geserrit portrayed in the proper light. They were the real powers of the universe and should be in the forefront considering the later concentrations in the sequels. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give them their due.

The first dune compared to the second was good. The second was done kinda cheaply and it showed. The scenes should be shot in real places and locations to add to the scope of the story. Remember, we're talking about 8,000 years from now and the evolution of humanity should be obvious in the translation. Basically, they should be superhumans relative to modern day humans.

I can't wait!!!!

I can't wait.

Tony Seymour seems to be the only one who "gets it" here: Lynch's film was an abomination (it was originally supposed to be directed by Ridley Scott - which could have made all the difference...). The casting was terrible, the special effects were horrible (you can even see the blue screen behind the sandworms), and, really now - it RAINS at the end?! Please.

In this regard, "Scott" makes an important comment when he points out that one will NEVER get the "essence" of a book into a movie: it simply cannot be done, since a film would have to be four or five hours long to include all the details and subcontexts. In that regard, the Sci-Fi miniseries was beyond brilliant, even given its minor flaws: the casting was fabulous (Alec Newman (!), Saskia Reeves, William Hurt, James McAvoy et al), the production was superb, and it was thoroughly engrossing, and got the vast majority of the story right, even given some missing subtexts and occasionally re-arranged scenes.

As well, if you give it some thought, the best book-to-movie adaptations (particularly comic book and/or fantasy characters) have been made by directors who really CARE about the material: directors who actually have a deep love for the characters and the stories. I do not know Berg's personal connection to the Dune series, but if he is not a lifelong fan with a vested interest (other than $) in "getting it right," then it may not only be a waste of time (since the miniseries was so good), but he may end up screwing it up (though it is unlikely that anyone could do worse than Lynch did).

Personally, if there were a director out there with as much love for the Dune series as Jackson had for LOTR (and despite some of the comments here, and despite some admittedly annoying aspects of them, the LOTR series was astounding), then I would love to see the entire series done, from The Butlerian Jihad through at least Chapterhouse Dune. The stories, characters, subtexts, etc. are consistently amazing, and deserve to be done tastefully, with love and passion for the material.

Peace.

My suggested cast:

Paul Atreides: Jared Padalecki
Alia Atreides: Dakota Fanning
Feyd Rautha: Jon Bon Jovi or Chris Carmack
Chani: Jennifer Love Hewitt or Lacey Chabert
Duke Leto Atreides: Kieffer Sutherland
Lady Jessica: Melinda Clark
Baron Vladimir Harkkonen: John Goodman
Glossu Rabban: James Gandolfini
Emperor Shaddam Iv: Jack Nicholson
Duncan Idaho: Christian Bale
Stilgar: Denis Quaid
Dr Kynes: Harrison Ford
Princess Irulan: Jessica Biel

Fear is the little death.

Paul Atreides: Jared Padalecki
Alia Atreides: Dakota Fanning
Feyd Rautha: Jon Bon Jovi or Chris Carmack
Chani: Jennifer Love Hewitt or Lacey Chabert
What are you high? Kieffer Sutherland as Duke Leto Atreides?! Granted he's a great actor but Leto has got to be portrayed by an actor of higher calibre. Jessica Biel as Princess Irulan? She's too old for that role, but she would be a good Lady Jessica. Sutherland could be Piter, he's good in the more off beat roles like Dark City. John Goodman as the Baron is moronic - he's a comedy actor, so I doubt he could pull off a homicidal homosexual. I don't know who Melinda Clark even is. Jack Nicholson as Emperor Shaddam IV would be over kill. Ford however might be good. Christian Bale is way too pop culture and people would never accept Denis Quaid as Stilgar. I also would like to apologise: Lynch did direct the first film and some other guy cut it up for TV - sorry.

This American-Hollywood-take on such an earthly-cultural-continuing-story--better than most I've seen or read. Thank you, Frank Herbert and son, for finding us here and there and again. Kids, whatever comes from the new Dune rendering is us, and I'll be happy to see what comes.

Allison in Pensacola

I forgot! Meryl Streep as Mother Gaius Helen Moian.

Another suggested cast:

Paul Atreides: Jared Padalecki
Alia Atreides: Dakota Fanning
Feyd Rautha: Anthony Michael Hall or Jon Bon Jovi or Chris Carmack
Chani: Bridget Moynahan or Lacey Chabert
Duke Leto Atreides: Bruce Greenwood (I Robot) or Kyle MacLahan (the former Paul in the original movie, why not?)
Lady Jessica: Melinda Clark or Kim Basinger
Baron Vladimir Harkkonen: John Goodman or James Belushi
Glossu Rabban: James Gandolfini / Chris Noth /
Emperor Shaddam IV: Sean Connery
Duncan Idaho: Christian Bale
Stilgar: Denis Quaid
Dr Kynes: Harrison Ford
Princess Irulan: Jessica Biel / Brittany Murphy


Hey G bird, remember that Jessica Biel is too younger as Jared Padalecki, therefore she can´t play the roll of Lady Jessica as Paul Atreides´mother.

Melinda Clark is the bitch in the OC.

I deeply apologize for my last entry I was pressed for time it should have read:
They'd be better off recruiting some Shakespearian trained actors, after all Dune's plot is very Shakespear-esque.
Dakota Fanning is also too popculture for Alia Atreides. Find an unknown for her and Paul. Jon Bon Jovi would be better as Idaho.
Jennifer Love Hewitt too busy with her ghosts and she's too old for that role as well what about Kristana Loken?
Kieffer Sutherland as Duke Leto Atreides?! Granted he's a great actor but Leto has got to be portrayed by an actor of higher calibre. Jessica Biel as Princess Irulan? She's too old for that role, but she would be a good Lady Jessica. Sutherland could be Piter, he's good in the more off beat roles like Dark City. John Goodman as the Baron is moronic - he's a comedy actor, I doubt he could pull off a homicidal homosexual. I don't know who Melinda Clark even is. Jack Nicholson as Emperor Shaddam IV would be over kill. Ford however might be good. Christian Bale is way too pop culture and people would never accept Denis Quaid as Stilgar. I also would like to apologise: Lynch did direct the first film and some other guy cut it up for TV - sorry.

I don't know, your suggested lists seem a little off to me. Besides the obvious problems of having so many stars and egos in one place at one time, some of those listed do not have the chops to pull it off, regardless of direction.

Talented unknowns all around, for the most part. Two or three major "stars" at the most would be sufficient to bring in a wider audience. And the cast selections would have to follow the descriptions given in the books. For example, any Fremen must be thin and as nearly dried-up as a corpse, and the Atreides males would have to have angular, hawkish faces.

Bale has a good look, and the acting skills, to fit as the Red Duke.
Dakota is too old for Alia, as is Connery and Nicholson for Shaddam---maybe one of them for Hawat, since he is described as quite ancient-looking, but I can't see either fitting the role.

Bon Jovi as Duncan? He doesn't have the chops for it, only the good-looks! And him with jet-black hair, as Duncan had: I don't know if he would look so good!

Gandolfini as Glossu sounds very, very interesting though.

Unknowns work better, to get past any preconceived notions and the distractions of big stars. The focus would be more on the characters themselves, not the actors behind them.