Forrest Gump writer Eric Roth penning Villeneuve's Dune reboot

Mumbai: Denis Villeneuve's 'Dune' reboot has finally found a writer in Eric Roth, who won the Oscar for his screenplay for ' Forrest Gump,' reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Eric will adopt Frank Herbert's sci-fi novel of the same name.

The movie follows Paul Atreides, whose family controls the desert planet Arrakis, the only producer of a highly valuable resource, spice melange. When Paul and his family are betrayed, he leads a rebellion to regain control of his home world.

Legendary picked up the film and television rights to Herbert's classic in late 2016.

Along with Villeneuve, Mary Parent and Cale Boyter will produce the new Dune adaptation, with Thomas Tull acting as the executive producer along with Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt and Kim Herbert for the Frank Herbert estate.

David Lynch directed the 1984 adaptation of the 1965 novel. The movie grossed 30 million USD and was a critical failure but over the years has become a cult favourite.

Science fiction novelist Kevin J. Anderson, who is responsible for Star Wars and X-Files spin-off novels, among other works, will serve as a creative consultant.