Denis Villeneuve‘s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s iconic ‘Dune‘ is shaping up as the production is currently in talks with Rebecca Ferguson (‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’,’The Greatest Showman’) to join the cast. Timothee Chalamet is currently set to take on the central role of Paul Atreides, and if Ferguson takes the part, she’ll be playing Paul’s mother, the Bene Gesserit Lady Jessica.
In the novels, Lady Jessica is Paul’s mother and the concubine of Duke Leto Atreides. The two are not married so that Leto could openly be available for a political marriage but it is clear from the outset that Jessica is his soulmate and he has no interest in pursuing a wife when he considers her to be his. Jessica isn’t an ordinary woman either as she is a member of the order of the Bene Gesserit. This is a religious order that not only holds great power politically but also whose members have developed With the movie slated to begin production in 2019, I expect we’ll be hearing quite a bit of casting news coming up in the next few months. Villeneuve is not just directing the film but is also producing it with Mary Parent and Cale Boyter. The director will also be working off a script that he, Eric Roth, and Jon Spaihts worked together to create.the ability to harness a range of superhuman powers.
Ferguson isn’t a stranger to genre films having been involved in ‘Life,’ ‘Hercules,’ and the upcoming ‘Men in Black’ and ‘Doctor Sleep’ movies. Working with Tom Cruise has put her into the realm of big-budget flicks as well so taking on this part shouldn’t be a stretch at all for her talent.
Behind the cameras, we’ll see Thomas Tull as an executive producer with Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert for the Frank Herbert estate. Kevin J. Anderson, who has written a few novels which expand the ‘Dune’ world with Brian Herbert based upon his father’s notes and ideas, and has been tapped as a creative consultant for the film.
Villeneuve is not just directing the film but is also producing it with Mary Parent and Cale Boyter. The director will also be working off a script that he, Eric Roth, and Jon Spaihts worked together to create.
With the movie slated to begin production in 2019, I expect we’ll be hearing quite a bit of casting news coming up in the next few months.
Would you like to see Rebecca Ferguson play Lady Jessica in ‘Dune’? If not, do you have a preferred actress in mind for the part? Share your thoughts below!
Source: The Hollywood Reporter