Peter Berg Could Be Out of the DUNE Remake Business

If you know me, then you know I’m all about Peter Berg and most of his projects.   Everything from VERY BAD THINGS (which brings a smile to my face) to FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (which brings a tear to my eye) serves as factors for why I have no problem with Berg helming a big-budget remake of something like DUNE.   Let’s just put it this way, a DUNE remake is going to happen.   It’s just a matter of having the right person for the job.

So, it pains me today to bring news from Pajiba that Berg has, evidently, left the project.

Here is a direct quote from the site:

Peter Berg completely dropped the project a few weeks ago — his Film 44 production company backed out, and now Paramount is scrambling to find a new director.

There is no word why Berg left the project, though one has to wonder if this has anything to do with Columbia wanting to fast-track a HANCOCK sequel.

On the choosing of a new director side of things, Paramount is running into problems on two fronts.   First, they have to find a helmer who can handle Joshua Zetumer’s 200+-page screenplay for south of $175 million.   Second, Paramount is seeking a director who knows the DUNE universe and who has a passion for the project.   So far, according to Pajiba, two names have been bandied about: Neill Blomkamp and Neil Marshall.   Marshall, evidently, is the front runner.   Needless to say, the studio is somewhat concerned with Marshall, whose only hit so far is THE DESCENT.

With no casting underway and no, official release date set, the future of DUNE could be very bleak, or, optimistically, a long way off.   We will bring more as soon as official word comes down.