MOVIE NEWS – Another key cast member enters the Dune remake. Denis Villeneuve, who became one of the most promising filmmakers thanks to films like Prisoners, Sicario, Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, is working on a new adaptation of author Frank Herbert’s legendary sci-fi novel behind the scenes for more than two years now. Everything is getting together and one very key element has also been found since the movie has found the villain.

According to a new report, Stellan Skarsgård will portray the evil Baron Harkonnen in the Dune remake. The role was previously played by Kenneth McMillan in David Lynch’s former big screen adaptation, which was released back in 1984. Skarsgard was already in big-budget blockbusters, since he’s starred in the Thor movies, and also a couple of the Avengers movies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and in several of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Beyond that, some of his notable credits include Good Will Hunting, Mama Mia! and Deep Blue Sea.

Besides the Lynch movie, there have been several attempts to turn Frank Herbert’s 1965 Hugo Award-winning novel Dune into a franchise in the past. The book’s and movie’s story are set in the distant future amidst a stretching feudal interstellar empire where planetary dynasties are controlled by noble houses that all owe an allegiance to the Imperial House Corrino. We mainly follow the young Paul Atreides as he and his family accept control of the desert planet Arrakis, where much of the story happens. The planet is important as it is the only source of a rare and valuable spice drug that is highly valued throughout the cosmos. Also, there are giant sandworms, which can be controlled via hooks by the fremen: a local rebelling population.

The oscar-nominee Timothee Chalamet will play the lead role of Paul Atreides, with Rebecca Ferguson also on board and Dave Bautista will also play an important role as well. This is by the way a reunion between Denis Villeneuve and Bautista, who worked before with one another on Blade Runner 2049. Dave Bautista became available since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has been delayed. It is very likely, that we’ll be hearing more casting news in the near future, as production is rapidly approaching.

It’s expected that production on Dune will begin this spring, meaning we could be just a few months away from cameras rolling. Filming will reportedly take place in Budapest and Jordan on what is expected to be a very large production, as the studio hopes that this could be a potentially huge franchise. Legendary Pictures, who secured the rights to the property back in November 2016, has not yet locked down a release date, but late 2020 is starting to seem highly likely. We’ll be of course keep you posted as any additional details on the project are made available.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter