Academy Award-nominee Josh Brolin is the latest actor to join the cast of Denis Villeneuve’s film adaptation of “Dune,” a novel written by Frank Herbert in 1965.
Brolin will play the role of Gurney Halleck. The role was previously portrayed by Patrick Stewart in David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation. He joins Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling and Javier Bardem, who will all feature in the film.
The film will be directed by “Arrival” and “Blade Runner 2049” director Denis Villeneuve. The script was written by Villeneuve, Eric Roth and Jon Spaihts, with Villeneuve producing alongside Mary Parent and Cale Boyter. Thomas Tull will executive produce along with Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert for the Frank Herbert estate and Kevin J. Anderson will serve as a creative consultant.
Set in the distant future, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides, whose family accepts control of the desert planet Arrakis. The planet is the only source of the coveted spice melange, which means control of Arrakis is highly contested among the noble families. After Paul and his family are betrayed, the story explores themes of politics, religion and man’s relationship to nature, as Paul leads a rebellion to restore his family’s control of Arrakis.
Lynch’s adaptation was a commercial and critical failure. In the following decades, attempts have been made to adapt it again, including by Paramount in 2008. After Paramount dropped its rights in 2011, Legendary acquired them in November 2016 and signed on Villeneuve to direct three months later.
Brolin was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in “Milk.” Other credits include his role as Thanos in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” and the upcoming “Avengers: Endgame.” Other roles include “Deadpool 2” and “Sicario.”
Brolin is represented by CAA.