“Star Wars” and “Ex Machina” star Oscar Isaac is in talks to join the cast of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of the Frank Herbert novel “Dune” for Legendary Pictures.
Isaac will play Duke Leto Atreides, father to the film’s protagonist Paul (Timothee Chalamet). A small but key role in the saga, Jurgen Prochnow played the part in the original David Lynch film adaptation while William Hurt took on the role in the Syfy mini-series in 2000.
Set in the distant future, the story follows Paul Atreides whose noble family accepts control of the desert planet Arrakis. As the only planet capable of producing the highly valuable resource known as the spice melange which allows for space travel, control of Arrakis is highly contested amongst the noble families.
When the Atreides are betrayed, the story explores themes of politics, religion, and man’s relationship to nature as a betrayed Paul leads a rebellion to restore his family’s control of Arrakis.
Charlotte Rampling, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista and Stellan Skarsgard co-star in the film which boasts a script by Villeneuve, Eric Roth and Jon Spaihts. Villeneuve is also producing, along with Mary Parent and Cale Boyter.