Upcoming 'Dune' Film to Cover Just Half of the First Book

It was recently announced that Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi book Dune is set to hit the big screen, with a film currently in the works that is being directed by Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Arrival, Blade Runner 2049). Given the director’s past hits, and the excellent source material the film is based on, many fans are hopeful that we will finally get to see a Dune film that is on par with Herbert’s novels.

Given how beloved the books are by sci-fi fans, there are also plenty out there who are concerned that the film might be a cheap cash-in on a famed series. Fortunately, it appears that the film isn’t going to rush its way through the Dune series or condense the books into one two-hour flick. Frank Herbert’s son, Brian Herbert, is serving as a consultant on the film and has announced on Twitter that the latest version of the film’s screenplay covers approximately half the book.

I have just received Draft #4 of the DUNE screenplay from Legendary Pictures. This is for the first movie, covering approximately half of the novel DUNE. I’m very excited and pleased about this, and I’m beginning to burn the midnight oil. pic.twitter.com/nIfgb2zJ2J

— Brian Herbert (@DuneAuthor) July 23, 2018

It may seem odd for a film adaptation to only cover half of the book it’s based on, but keep in mind that Dune is a hefty tome that is very rich in its universe’s lore. No doubt there are plans afoot to adapt the entire book in perhaps two or three films. Villeneuve has previously stated that he’s like to adapt the novel via two movies, but it’s yet to be confirmed as to whether this will be the case.

The first Dune book was published over 50 years ago and still remains to sci-fi what The Lord of the Rings is to fantasy. A film based on the book was released back in 1984, directed by David Lynch, but it received poor reviews from critics and fans. Here’s hoping the new film will prove to be worthy.