Although he’s currently busy with Dune: Part Two, acclaimed filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is already set for another project. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Villeneuve will direct Rendezvous With Rama, a movie adaptation of the sci-fi novel of the same name by Arthur C. Clarke.
Canadian director Denis Villeneuve directed mostly sci-fi movies in the last few years. In 2016, he filmed Arrival, the sci-fi movie starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner. The movie was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won one for Best Editing. Only a year later, Blade Runner 2049, directed by Villeneuve, won two Oscars; Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects.
Last October, Villeneuve‘s latest movie Dune was released in theaters. The movie is the first part of the planned two-part adaptation of the sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert. Dune: Part Two was announced shortly after the movie’s release, with Villeneuve set to write and direct again. Dune: Part Two is set to be released in October 2023.
Villeneuve is working on the script for Dune: Part Two, and production should start next year. But, we already know what will be Villeneuve‘s next project after that – Rendezvous With Rama. The original novel written by Arthur C. Clarke was released in 1973.
Morgan Freeman expressed his interest in Rendezvous With Rama adaptation in the early 2000s, but the project was in development hell for years, until now. With Villeneuve announced as the director, Freeman will also serve as the producer with Alcon Entertainment.
“This is one of the most intelligent works of fiction in the genre; it poses as many questions as it does answers, and is a work for our time. It’s perfectly fitted to our friend and collaborator Denis’ brilliant sensibilities and specifically to his love and passion for science fiction. We are also pleased to work with Morgan and Lori, who have a long-standing passion for this IP.” — Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove, co-CEOs of Alcon Entertainment for The Hollywood Reporter
The movie is in early development now. The release date is TBA.