Chang Chen confirmed joining Hollywood sci-fi film 'Dune'

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Chinese actor Chang Chen has been confirmed to join the Hollywood sci-fi film "Dune," according to an announcement from his broker on Tuesday.

Earlier reports claimed Chen would play Dr. Yueh, a physician who in the novel works for the Atreides family. But his company didn't make it clear which role he would assume.

Chen, 42, better known as Zhang Zhen among Chinese audience, first performed in film at the age of 15. He rose to international fame with 2000's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" made by Ang Lee. He also starred in Hou Hsiao-hsien's "The Assassin" and Wong Kar-wai's "2046" and "The Grandmaster."

Actor and member of the Feature Film Jury, Chang Chen poses at the screening of the film "Burning" at the 71st edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France on May 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

"Dune" is based on American author Frank Herbert's classic 1965 sci-fi novel of the same name. It's the world's first novel to win both the Nebula Award and Hugo Award – two of the highest prizes in the science fiction arena.

The story is set in the future where the family of a young man named Paul Atreides controls a desert planet Arrakis. The planet is the galaxy's only producer of a valuable spice known as Melange. The spice is considered to enhance physical fitness and prolongs life. When Paul and his family are betrayed, he must fight back for the re-control of the planet.

Film poster of Denis Villeneuve's upcoming "Dune." /Photo via Douban.com

Chen is joining an already impressive cast including Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård and Dave Bautista.

The novel was adapted into a film in 1984 by director David Lynch. But many complain it failed to convey complex themes such as religion and humanity's relationship with nature.

Against this backdrop, Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" has triggered high expectation among sci-fi fans.

The film will be shot in Budapest and Jordan. It's scheduled to be released in North America on November 20, 2020.