Frank Herbert's sci-fi classic, last seen in cinemas in David Lynch's adaptation, looks set for another screen outing under Pierre Morel

It proved something of a grand folly for David Lynch, whose 1984 adaptation was a commercial and critical flop, while Salvador Dalí and Orson Welles were set to star in a 10-hour version almost a decade earlier. Now Dune, the bestselling science-fiction novel of all time, looks set to be revamped for the 21st century with French director Pierre Morel at the reins.

According to Variety, Morel, best known for directing the Liam Neeson-starring revenge thriller Taken, will also work to hone a screenplay by Peter Berg and Josh Zetumer into a finished product. Berg, of Hancock fame, was previously set to direct, but has decided to work on the forthcoming adaptation of board game Battleship instead.

Morel is said to be a long-time fan of Frank Herbert's 1969 novel, which launched a series that eventually spanned six books. It centres on a sprawling feudal interstellar empire where planetary fiefdoms are controlled by noble houses. The first book tells the story of the ongoing battle to control the valuable "spice melange" which is found only on the desert planet of Arrakis.
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