Peter Berg directing sci-fi remake 'Dune'

Peter Berg will direct a film version of Frank Herbert's classic sci-fi novel Dune, Variety reports.

The story takes place on a desert planet called Arrakis, which produces a spice used for space travel called Melange. The narrative revolves around a power struggle for control of the spice.

Dune, which is set up at Paramount under the supervision of producer Kevin Misher, was previously made into a film by David Lynch in 1984. The book was again adapted for the screen in 2000's Sci Fi Channel mini-series.

Producers hope to make the film faithful to Herbert's novel and feel Dune's theme of rapidly depleting ecological resources is a timely one.

Berg's directing credits include The Kingdom and Friday Night Lights. His next film, Will Smith superhero film Hancock, is released on July 2.

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