The highly sought after Mission: Impossible actress, Rebecca Ferguson, is reportedly in talks to join Denis Villeneuve’s two-part Dune adaptation.
Ferguson’s role will see her play Paul’s (Timothee Chalamet) mother, Lady Jessica. Jessica escapes with him into the desert and helps him become the saviour known as the Mahdi in the eyes of the planet’s native inhabitants the Fremen.
The story follows Paul 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.
Forrest Gump scribe Eric Roth is also on board to pen the new adaptation– which had previously been made in 1984 with David Lynch at the helm.
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Legendary Pictures acquired the rights to make films and TV Series of the Sci-Fi classic late last year after making a deal with Herbert’s estate. Villeneuve, who is no stranger to dipping his toe into cult classics is currently still working on Blade Runner 2049, will be teaming up with Mary Parent and Cale Boyter who will produce, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Thomas Tull and Kim Herbert will executive produce, and Kevin J Anderson will serve as a creative consultant.
Ferguson is coming off the back of the highly successful Mission: Impossible – Fallout where she gave the men a run for their money in the action stakes. She is currently filming the Men in Black spin-off alongside Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. She will also star in the Stephen King adaptation, Doctor Sleep.
Production start is scheduled for early 2019.
