Back in November, it was announced that Legendary had picked up the film and TV rights for Frank Herbert’s Dune, and now comes an update on who may be tasked with directing the cinematic redo of this cult favourite.

Variety is reporting that Legendary has their sights set on snagging Denis Villeneuve to helm a new Dune movie. Villeneuve actually threw his hat into the ring back in September should such a gig ever come up, with him telling the same outlet, “A longstanding dream of mine is to adapt Dune, but it’s a long process to get the rights, and I don’t think I will succeed.”

Clearly some dreams do indeed come true, and now Legendary are hoping to agree a deal with one of the hottest directors in Hollywood right now; Villeneuve has seen his stock on the rise thanks to fantastic work on Prisoners, Sicario and Arrival, and he’s also the man given the ominous task of helming Blade Runner 2049.

Dune began life back in 1965, with Frank Herbert’s original novel tying for the 1966 Hugo Award and then winning the inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel. Set in the distant future, the story centres on Paul Atreides as his family takes control of the desert planet known as Arrakis. With valuable resources key to the tale, what unravels is a plot that’s full of politics, betrayal, and man’s relationship with nature. A Kyle MacLachlan-starring, David Lynch-helmed movie followed in 1984, which went on to become a cult classic, and then Syfy developed a Dune TV series in 2000. As for written works, Herbert penned five sequels himself before Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert expanded that written world even further.

As ever, expect more on this as it develops.