Denis Villeneuve's Dune will officially hit theaters in November 2020. The acclaimed director is set to re-adapt Frank Herbert's sci-fi novel after David Lynch previously gave his take on the property in the 1980s. The story centers around Paul Atreides, played by Timotheé Chalamet, who is one of the key characters living on the desert planet of Arrakis.

Thanks to Villeneuve's string of critical hits that range from the gritty drug-raiding Sicario to the long-awaited sequel sci-fi epic Blade Runner 2049, he has had no trouble finding talent to join the film's large ensemble. Rebecca Ferguson joined as Paul's mother, Oscar Isaac as Paul's father, and Stellan Skarsgård is set to play one of the villains. The casting process has really ramped up recently with Aquaman star Jason Momoa being the latest to join the cast. Now, with all the star power attached, Legendary and Warner Bros. have given the film a release date.

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The news was shared by THR, which confirms Dune's release date is officially November 20, 2020. The film will open in IMAX and 3D, so audiences will be able to experience Villeneuve's latest work in the biggest format possible. This currently puts the film up against Fantastic Beasts 3, but that release date may not stick given the film's recent delays. If that's the case, then Dune should have the ability to own the weekend.

The announcement of a release date comes right as Dune is about to start filming. No exact start date has been revealed at this time, but it has long been expected for Dune to begin production this spring. The barrage of casting additions and this release date further show that this will be the case, and should guarantee the brilliant director has plenty of time to bring his vision to life. It may not be too long now before an official start date for filming surfaces, and then it will only be a matter of time before potential updates (and leaks) come during production.

It was previous revealed that Villeneuve's spin on Dune will only adapt the first half Frank Herbert's novel, but that is all we know about his vision for the film. He will likely take some liberties with the source material, and given his track record, there is little reason to not fully trust Villeneuve. The combination of his direction and the all-star cast that also includes Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Zendaya, and more should be reason enough to get audiences excited, while the complexity of this adaptation makes it all the more promising. The full 2020 movie slate is still far from being determined, but Dune may very well be one of the most anticipated films of the year - and for good reason.

More: Everything You Need to Know About Denis Villeneuve's Dune

Source: THR

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