'Dune' film finds a new writer

9:37 PM PDT 10/13/2010 by Jay A. Fernandez, AP

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Chase Palmer to work on script for helmer Pierre Morel

Chase Palmer has been hired to work on the "Dune" script for director Pierre Morel at Paramount.

Morel came aboard the project at the beginning of the year, and Palmer will work Morel's ideas into original scribe Josh Zetumer's screenplay. The "From Paris With Love" and "Taken" helmer is intent on hewing close to the source material, Frank Herbert's classic 1965 sci-fi tome.

David Lynch adapted the first novel into a feature for Universal in 1984.

Kevin Misher and Richard Rubinstein are producing the new Paramount version, which they hope will spark a franchise.

Repped by WME and the Gotham Group, Palmer is developing his original screenplays "Number Thirteen," with producer Gail Mutrux at Pretty Pictures, and "Wild Wild East," with producer Paul Schiff. He would direct both as well.

Palmer also has worked on the screenplays for "No Blood, No Guts, No Glory" for Misher at Paramount and "The Dallas Buyer's Club" at Universal.