AceShowbiz - Zendaya Coleman may be joining the cast for Legendary Pictures' adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Frank Herbert, "Dune". The actress is now reportedly in early negotiations to play Chani, the love interest of Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet), according to Collider.

Chani is described as the daughter of the half-Fremen planetologist Liet Kynes and his full-Fremen wife. Developed into a formidable fighter, Chani first meets Paul when the latter and his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) are taken in by her tribe. Chani is put in charge of protecting and guiding Paul, and they soon become lovers.

Should the deal is closed, Zendaya will join other confirmed cast members which include Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgard and Oscar Isaac. Denis Villeneuve ("Arrival", "Blade Runner 2049") is directing and co-writing the script alongside Eric Roth and Jon Spaihts. Mary Parent and Cale Boyter join Denis as producers, with Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Thomas Tull and Kim Herbert serving as executive producers.

Considered to be one of the 20 century's all-time best novels, "Dune" follows the protagonist Paul Atreides. His family in in charge of Arrakis, a desert planet that contains a mysterious and highly addictive chemical called Spice which allows memory transfer, visions of the future and greatly expanded life span. The story then explores themes of politics, religion and human-nature relationship as Paul and his family are betrayed. They betrayal leads him to fight for control of Arrakis and the Spice.

There have been several attempts to adapt the novel over the years, including David Lynch's flopped 1984 starring Kyle MacLachlan. In 2000, another adaption directed by John Harrison was more well-received than the previous one. John's mini-series even won two Emmys for its technical work.

No release date has been announced yet for Denis' remake of "Dune".