Having a dream that is so powerful and moving since you were 14 comes with its own burden. Denis Villeneuve, the legendary sci-fi movie director, had one such dream when he first read Dune by Frank Herbert. He was a young boy of 14 when he first wandered the land of Arrakis. Since then, he had, what he called, an ambitious dream to adapt the book for the big screen.
And adapting it to the big screen is what he did. 40 years after, he was able to release the first part of the 600 pages book. Unlike its 1984 predecessor, Denis did not rush the 2021 adaptation as it covered only the first half of the book. The movie took its time to establish the characters, build a world in front of all and then let the audience know it was simply the beginning.
Paul Atreides, who is portrayed by the Oscar-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet, has the weight of Atreides’ future on his shoulders. The first part of Villeneuve’s adaptation ends with him making life-altering decisions along with the blue-eyed mysterious Chani, played by Zendaya. This ending has not only left fans needing more but also actively searching for the progress of part 2.
Unfortunately for them, none of the star cast, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Barden, and Josh Brolin, could confirm a green light for the second part yet. Even Denis answered the same in all his interviews. They all replied that based on the theatrical success of the film only can they make a guess. Disappointing, I know.
Dune Part 2 Decision
Well, they don’t have to make a guess. On Tuesday, 26th of October, Warner Bros. announced that they have green-lighted part 2 of Denis’s vision for Dune. The sequel will hit the theatres on October 20th of 2023! We can credit the wild success of the first part for this decision. It earned $40.1 million domestically which is the biggest of Villeneuve’s career and the largest opening for Warner Bros. this year.
In his statement Denis said:
“I just received news from Legendary that we are officially moving forward with Dune: Part Two. It was a dream of mine to adapt Frank Herbert’s Dune and I have the fans, the cast, and crew, Legendary and Warner Bros. to thank for supporting this dream. This is only the beginning.”
Timothée Chalamet also posted the first poster for part 2 earlier this day.
This is the first time that an adaptation of this book has been a success. Many filmmakers have tried, but for some or other reason, it never happened. Dune, like its lands, is punishing, but Denis has made it it’s own. For Herbert and Villeneuve, the future is bright and fear has gone and only they remain.