Pajiba reports that Peter Berg, who was slated to direct a second adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel Dune, has left the project. Paramount is now looking for a new director, and they are currently eyeing Neill Blomkamp (District 9) and Neil Marshall (The Descent, Doomsday).

Paramount is looking for three things in a director, and their requirements sound generally reassuring. They want someone who can make the film for less than $175 million, they want someone who already loves the novel, and they want someone who can provide adequate special effects.

The idea of Blomkamp directing Dune is exciting, if only for the fact that Blomkamp directing anything sounds exciting. However, the director would not be a sure shot by any means, as he has only one major film under his belt to date. Furthermore, there is also the issue of his next film being recently approved, which means that either that project or this one would be pushed back if he was signed on. Marshall sounds like a reasonable choice himself, though his only particularly noteworthy film so far has been The Descent. At this point, though, anything can happen. Paramount may decide on another director altogether.