Yes, we're going to get the third attempt (the first two being the David Lynch disaster and the SyFy miniseries) to bring Dune to the screen:
http://variety.com/2016/film/news/legendary-dune-frank-herbert-1201923648/
So, can it be done properly? I hope so.
I think that to get this to work Legendary may need to consider splitting it into two films (it actually has a fairly natural split line when the Harkonnens use a traitor to destroy (or so they think) House Atreides) because there is just too much plot for a single film.
Beyond that basic decision, here are some things I think they need to do for this rendition to work properly:
One, stay away from weird costumes and baroque sets. Both Lynch's film and the SyFy miniseries committed these sins, and as a result looked so weird they took you right out of the story.
Two, no changing major plot elements. In this arena the SyFy mini did decently while Lynch's film was horrendous. This means that - yes - the main weapons for combat need to be edged weapons because of the whole Lasegun-Shield interaction issue (which needs to be shown). Also depict the Voice accurately as well as the Bene Gesserit and such.
Three, show fidelity to the characters as depicted in the book. For example, both SyFy and Lynch overdid the Harkonnens to the point they bordered on the comical. Especially Lynch here - the Baron, Feyd and Rabban all come across as psychotic idiots. In the book the characters were far more subtle.
Legendary has a real opportunity here, as Dune is a rich universe and has never been shown properly on the screen.
http://variety.com/2016/film/news/legendary-dune-frank-herbert-1201923648/
So, can it be done properly? I hope so.
I think that to get this to work Legendary may need to consider splitting it into two films (it actually has a fairly natural split line when the Harkonnens use a traitor to destroy (or so they think) House Atreides) because there is just too much plot for a single film.
Beyond that basic decision, here are some things I think they need to do for this rendition to work properly:
One, stay away from weird costumes and baroque sets. Both Lynch's film and the SyFy miniseries committed these sins, and as a result looked so weird they took you right out of the story.
Two, no changing major plot elements. In this arena the SyFy mini did decently while Lynch's film was horrendous. This means that - yes - the main weapons for combat need to be edged weapons because of the whole Lasegun-Shield interaction issue (which needs to be shown). Also depict the Voice accurately as well as the Bene Gesserit and such.
Three, show fidelity to the characters as depicted in the book. For example, both SyFy and Lynch overdid the Harkonnens to the point they bordered on the comical. Especially Lynch here - the Baron, Feyd and Rabban all come across as psychotic idiots. In the book the characters were far more subtle.
Legendary has a real opportunity here, as Dune is a rich universe and has never been shown properly on the screen.