Academy Award-winning actor Javier Bardem is currently in talks to join Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård and Charlotte Rampling in Legendary’s adaptation of the Frank Herbert sci-fi novel “Dune.”
Bardem would play the role of Stilgar, who was previously played by Everett McGill in David Lynch’s 1984 Dune Film Adaptation.
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.
“Dune” was previously adapted into a film directed by David Lynch in 1984 and was a commercial and critical failure. In the ensuing decades, attempts have been made to adapt the film 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.
Bardem won an Oscar for his role in “No Country for Old Men” and received multiple nominations for his roles in “Before Night Falls” and “Biutiful.” Other credits include “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” “Mother!,” and “Skyfall.”
Bardem is represented by WME and Bloom Hergott Diemer Rosenthal Laviolette Feldman Schenkman & Goodman.