Everything you need to know about Denis Villeneuve's new adaptation of Dune

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Release date, trailer, storyline, all-star cast and professional team.

When the movie comes out

Information about plans for the adaptation of the famous novel by Frank Herbert appeared back in 2016, when the Legendary studio acquired the rights to the book.

A year later, the writer’s son and co-author of several sequels of the novel, Brian Herbert, confirmed on Twitter that Denis Villeneuve, one of the brightest modern representatives of this profession, the creator of Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, will be the director of the future film.

The release was planned for the end of 2020. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of cinemas, the premiere was postponed for a year. Now "Dune" will be released on September 30, 2021, and in the IMAX format. And judging by the words of Brian Herbert, her plot will cover only half of the first book.

Is there a trailer for the new "Dune"

On September 9, 2020, the first video of the film was released.

What the book talks about

Frank Herbert's novel Dune was first published in 1965. The protagonist of the work is young Paul Atreides. The ruler of the intergalactic empire appoints his father Leto Atreides to rule the planet Arrakis (also known as Dune).

It is there that "spice" is mined - the most important substance in the Universe, without which space flights are impossible. True, its extraction is complicated by the presence of giant worms in the sands.

But it soon turns out that the move of House Atreides was conceived by the longtime enemy of the family, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. He soon kills Leto and seizes power. Paul manages to survive in the desert and join the Fremen - free inhabitants of the sands. They consider the young man the messiah and, under his leadership, organize an uprising against the Harkonnens.

The first book is eventful. She tells in detail both about the structure of the intergalactic empire, and about the planet Arrakis itself. In addition, religious philosophy, political intrigue and fantasy are intertwined in the plot. This is what makes the production so difficult.

If you believe the words of Brian Herbert, then, most likely, the first part will stop on how Paul Atreides will acquire the powers of the Kwisatz Haderach (superman), and his subsequent confrontation with the Harkonnens will be left for the next films.

The official synopsis of the film looks like this: “The mythical and emotional“Dune”tells the story of Paul Atreides, a gifted young man who is destined for a great destiny beyond his comprehension. He must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to secure the future of his family and his people. Evil forces are fueling a conflict over the possession of the most valuable resource that unlocks the potential of humanity. But only those who are able to conquer their fear will survive."

Moreover, if the first films are successful, the authors have the opportunity to continue filming almost indefinitely. Frank Herbert himself wrote five sequels of the novel, and his son Brian, in co-authorship with Kevin Andersen, has more than a dozen works.

Who will play in the future film adaptation

One of the main reasons everyone is looking forward to the next Dune adaptation is the all-star cast. From the middle of 2018, information began to appear on the selection of leading performers.

Paul Atreides

The main character, the heir to House Atreides, the leader of the Fremen and the future Kwisatz Haderach, will be played by one of the main young actors in today's cinema, Timothy Chalamet (Call Me by Your Name).

Summer Atreides

The role of Paul's father, Duke of House Atreides, went to Oscar Isaac (Star Wars).

Lady Jessica

Rebecca Ferguson (Mission Impossible) will portray Paul Atreides' mother and Bene Gesserit, a member of the Bene Gesserit that teaches women voice management and martial arts.

Vladimir Harkonnen

Stellan Skarsgard ("Thor") will play the central villain, the obese Baron, the leader of House Harkonnen and the former governor of the planet Arrakis.

Glossu Rabban

The role of the close-minded and sadistic nephew of Vladimir Harkonnen, nicknamed the Beast, went to actor and wrestler Dave Batista (Blade Runner 2049).

Reverend Mother Helena Mohiam

Charlotte Rampling (45) will play the head of the Women's Bene Gesserit and mentor of Lady Jessica.

Chani

The image of a Fremen woman and an imperial planetary scientist, who would later become Paul's mistress, will be embodied by Zendaya ("Spider-Man: Homecoming").

Stilgar

The Fremen leader, who becomes an associate of Paul and his mother, will be played by Javier Bardem ("mother!").

Gurney Halleck

The role of Paul's mentor, the warlord of House Atreides, an uncouth but loyal Gurney, went to Josh Brolin ("The Assassin").

Duncan Idaho

Jason Momoa (Aquaman) will play House Atreides weaponsmith, ladies' man and veteran warrior Duncan Idaho.

Who is working on the film

Exceptionally famous professionals also work behind the scenes of the film. Oscar winner Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) is responsible for the script. Behind the camera is Greg Fraser, who has worked on films such as Rogue One. Star Wars: Stories "and" Power ".

The legendary Hans Zimmer, the author of the music for "Gladiator" and "Beginning", has been appointed the composer of the project. In addition, Brian Herbert is among the producers of the film.

What other adaptations were there

This is not the first time Dune has been screened. But it so happened that among all the previous attempts there was not a single one worthy of the legendary original.

Unshot "Dune" by Jodorowski

Alejandro Jodorowski was the first to film the novel in the mid-70s. True, he decided to greatly change the plot. According to his version, Duke Leto was castrated, and Paul was created artificially from his blood. And in the finale, the main character was reborn simultaneously in all the inhabitants of the planet.

Jodorowski hired artist Jean Möbius Giraud to create the storyboards, and invited Pink Floyd to write the soundtrack. But in the end he got a script for 12-20 hours, not a single studio wanted to take on it and the film was never shot. In 2013, the documentary film “Jodorowski's Dune” was released, which tells about the work on this project.

Mystical "Dune" by David Lynch

In the early 80s, David Lynch was invited to film an adaptation of Herbert's novel. And he himself did not read the book, but in a telephone conversation the director heard that he was offered to shoot some kind of film "June" (June). He only agreed to get funding for his next job.

The director's attitude greatly influenced the script. Many plot details have changed, and the characters have become more grotesque. Vladimir Harkonnen developed blisters on his body, and people with heightened intelligence of mentats - red spots on their lips. And again, Lynch made strange changes in the ending that ruined all the logic of the story.

The film failed at the box office, and the director was completely dissatisfied with his work. In addition, the final editing took place without him, and he even demanded to remove his name from the credits. The only plus from working on this picture is that on the set, Lynch met Kyle McLachlen. They subsequently became friends and collaborated on several occasions.

Mini-series "Frank Herbert's Dune"

Already in 2000, another film adaptation was released. This time, the Syfy channel got down to business. And in this version, they tried to keep the plot of the story as close to the original as possible. Added only a couple of minor lines, for example, increasing the role of Princess Irulan. But the rest of the TV version delighted the fans.

The only drawback of the series is its very modest budget (half the size of the Lynch film, under inflationary conditions over 15 years). Therefore, special effects like spaceships or worms look very unnatural. And most of the main roles were played by little-known European actors.

However, the popularity of the series allowed the authors to shoot two more sequels based on the following books by Frank Herbert.