Denis Villeneuve's Dune reboot to be written by Forrest Gump scribe Eric Roth

Based on the 1965 Nebula Award-winning novel by Frank Herbert

Eric Roth, the man behind classic heart-warmer Forrest Gump, has signed up to write the reboot of the sci-fi epic, Dune.

Dune - based on the 1965 Nebula Award-winning novel by Frank Herbert - is set in the distant future and follows a society spread across space wherein individual noble houses control their own planets.

The story hones in on a young Paul Atreides as his family stewards fictional desert planet, Arrakis - the sole producer of a precious 'spice' - raising themes of politics, religion, technology, and psychology.

Upon initial publication, the book spurred talks for an on-screen adaptation following its initial publication, with Ridley Scott and Planet of the Apes producer Arthur P. Jacobs among contenders.

Legendary filmmaker David Lynch was eventually chosen to write and direct the adaptation, which starred Kyle MacLachlan in the lead role. While the film proved to be a box office failure and initially received negative responses from critics following its 1984 release, it went on to achieve cult status in later years.

Beyond Forrest Gump, Roth also penned the screenplays for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and 2005 thriller, Munich.

While Dune will mark his first science fiction screenplay, the film will be directed and produced by Denis Villeneuve, who directed recent hit, Arrival, and will helm the forthcoming Blade Runner sequel.