Dune: Release Date, Cast And More
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This fall,Denis Villeneuve’s star-studded adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sprawling sci-fi epicDunewill be unleashed on the world. A notoriously tricky story to adapt (just ask David Lynch), Villeneuve’sDuneis bound to be an event film – although it might go the way of Villeneuve’s excellentBlade Runner 2049, and underperform at the box office. But we’ll worry about that when we get to it. For now, here’s everything you need to know aboutDune.
Dune Release Date And Where You Can Watch It
Dunewill arrive onOctober 1, 2021. Like every other Warner Bros. release this year,Dunewill be released in both theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously. The film will remain streaming on HBO Max for 30 days. There was a recent report thatDunewould be forgoing this release strategy and be exclusive to theaters, but that proved to be false. There are also rumors that the movie will play at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, but that’s yet to be confirmed.
What is Dune?
Duneis based on the novel of the same name by Frank Herbert. The book was first published in 1965, and it’sconsideredthe world’s best-selling science fiction novel. The story is “set in the distant future amidst a feudal interstellar society in which various noble houses control planetary fiefs,” and Herbert wrote five more books in the series:Dune Messiah(1969),Children of Dune(1976),God Emperor of Dune(1981),Heretics of Dune(1984), andChapterhouse: Dune(1985).
Alejandro Jodorowsky famously attempted to adaptDuneinto a film, but a series of setbacks kept this from happening. The story of Jodorowsky’s failed adaptation is chronicled in the documentaryJodorowsky’s Dune. After the Jodorowsky affair, Ridley Scott was attached to direct. But Scott dropped out of the project after seven months and went on to makeBlade Runnerinstead.
Eventually, David Lynch was hired to helm the film. Lynch’s movie opened in 1984, and was met with negative reviews and poor box office. Lynch has disowned the project, citing studio interference, although the movie still has its fans.
In 2000, the Sci-Fi Channel (which is now called SYFY) released a three-part miniseries adaptation of theDune.
Dune Synopsis
Here’s the officialDunesynopsis:
A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
Dune Director, Crew, and More
Duneis directed by Denis Villeneuve, the filmmaker behindArrival,Blade Runner 2049, and more. Villeneuve also wrote the script, withJon SpaihtsandEric Roth. Villeneuve produced the movie with Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, and Joe Caracciolo, Jr. The executive producers are Tanya Lapointe, Joshua Grode, Herbert W. Gains, Jon Spaihts, Thomas Tull, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, and Kim Herbert.
The production designer isPatrice Vermette(Arrival,Sicario); the editor isJoe Walker(Blade Runner 2049); the visual effects supervisor isPaul Lambert(First Man,Blade Runner 2049); special effects supervisor isGerd Nefzer(Blade Runner 2049).Greig Fraser(Zero Dark Thirty,Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) serves as cinematographer, whileJacqueline West(The Revenant) is costume designer, working with co-costume designerBob Morgan.Hans Zimmeris handling the film’s score.
Okay, take a deep breath, because this is a big list. TheDunecast includesTimothée Chalametas Paul Atreides;Rebecca Fergusonas Lady Jessica;Oscar Isaacas Duke Leto Atreides;Josh Brolinas Gurney Halleck;Stellan Skarsgårdas Baron Vladimir Harkonnen;Dave Bautistaas Glossu Rabban;Stephen McKinley Hendersonas Thufir Hawat;Zendayaas Chani;David Dastmalchianas Piter De Vries;Chang Chenas Dr. Wellington Yueh;Sharon Duncan-Brewsteras Dr. Liet-Kynes;Charlotte Ramplingas Gaius Helen Mohiam;Jason Momoaas Duncan Idaho; andJavier Bardemas Stilgar.
Will There Be a Dune Sequel?
A sequel has not officially been given a greenlight yet, probably because everyone wants to make sure the first movie is a hit. But Denis Villeneuve has said from the start that he wants to break Herbert’s massive book into two films. “I would not agree to make this adaptation of the book with one single movie,” hesaid. “The world is too complex. It’s a world that takes its power in details.” In fact, the newDunemovie is said to only cover the first half of the book, with the potential sequel covering the other half.
There are also plans for a prequel TV series calledDune: The Sisterhood, which is destined for HBO Max.
