Ride The Sandworms Of Peter Berg's Unfilmed Dune Concept Art

J is For "Jock"
This concept art by Mark "Jock" Simpson, who worked on Children of Men (2006), The Losers (2010), and the upcoming Battleship (2012) almost gave Peter Berg's Dune a much different feel.

Synopsis: Set in the far future amidst a sprawling feudal interstellar empire where planetary dynasties are controlled by noble houses that owe an allegiance to the imperial House Corrino, Dune tells the story of young Paul Atreides (the heir apparent to Duke Leto Atreides and heir of House Atreides) as he and his family accept control of the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of the "spice" melange, the most important and valuable substance in the universe. The story explores the complex and multi-layered interactions of politics, religion, ecology, technology, and human emotion, as the forces of the empire confront each other for control of Arrakis and its "spice". - Wikipedia

Once upon a time, Peter Berg was developing a movie version of the classic 1965 Frank Herbert novel Dune. After the David Lynch 1984 film and the SyFy channel mini-series, he said he “had a much more different experience...with the book than David Lynch did." He said his version would "feel significantly different from the others."


He left the project in 2009 and, despite years in development, Paramount finally dropped plans for a remake in 2011.

Looking at the concept art below, it definitely feels "more muscular and adventurous, more violent and possibly even a little bit more fun" than the other interpretations and could have been good.

Jock was a concept artist on the film and provided a fascinating glimpse at the world Peter Berg was imagining. His bold use of color and composition give it a dramatic feel.

Seas of Caladan

Fremen Caves

Sandworm Attack

Paul Atreides: Age 12-13, Age 14-15, Age 16-17

Sardaukar Attack

Spice Mining

The following are a selection of Sand (Spice) Worm designs 

In the series, the sandworms  — called Shai-Hulud (pronounced /ˈʃaɪ hʉˈluːd/) among the Fremen of the desert planet Arrakis (Dune)  — are worshiped as manifestations of "the earth deity of Fremen hearth superstitions." The Fremen believe that the actions of the sandworms are the direct actions of God, and so the worms have been given numerous titles such as the "Great Maker", "The Maker", and the "Worm who is God."(God Emperor of Dune). Virtually indestructible and with indefinite lifespans of potentially thousands of years, the giant sandworms are also referred to as the "Old Man of the Desert", "Old Father Eternity" and "Grandfather of the Desert". The worms may also be referred to by Fremen as Shaitan, post God-Emperor.  - Wikipedia

Newborn worm

@ 2008 Copyright Paramount Pictures

Via ComingSoon.net

What do you think of the illustrations? Have you read the books? Do you think these would have captured the spirit of Dune?



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