PARAMOUNT Exits Talks For New ‘DUNE’ Movie Franchise!

Paramount has lost the battle to once again bring Frank Herbert‘s science fiction ‘DUNE‘ novel to the big screen – according to Deadline.com!

The studio and the rights holders came to a parting of the ways as the rights lapsed, as the current rights gatekeeper of the biggest-selling sci-fi book, Richard P. Rubinstein, confirms:

“Paramount’s option has expired and we couldn’t reach an agreement.

“I’m going to look at my options, and whether I wind up taking the script we developed in turnaround, or start over, I’m not sure yet.”

And the reason for the breakdown in talks? Rubinstein stated that Paramount’s exit came down to money, but the producer said he and the other rights holders were OK with it.

“Sure, it’s frustrating, how long this has taken, but most of what I’ve done that worked out well over the years, like the miniseries The Stand, took a long time.

“Since I know what I want, eventually, I’ll find someone who’ll agree with me. What I like is that talent has interesting things to say on how they would approach it.”

For those who haven’t read ‘DUNE‘, the story depicts an interplanetary battle for control of the desert planet Arrakis and its supply of Melange, a spice that can be ingested. Those who take it live longer and have a prescient sense of awareness. The substance is necessary for space travel.

The book was first adapted into a movie back in 1984 by David Lynch, which unfortunately turned out to be a flop. A miniseries that came later fared better.

So what now for the future of ‘DUNE‘? Rubinstein also confirms that there’s nothing on the cards…yet!

He states:

“Right now, Dune has no commitments or attachments.”