You’d be hard-pressed to find a science fiction fan who hadn’t heard of Frank Herbert’s novel Dune.
Since it was first published in 1959, the book has sold millions of copies worldwide and was adapted into a film by acclaimed director David Lynch starring Twin Peaks star Kyle Mclachlan in 1984.
But now it’s 2020, and a new age audience is ready for a brand new adaptation with an all-star cast.
Synopsis
The story is set in a fictional space empire far in the future — much similar to Star Wars — and according to many critics, the galaxy far far away may not have even come into fruition if it wasn’t for this novel.
Dune focuses on Atreides who, after his father is killed, is entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, star Timothée Chalamet said that it was “really surreal” to be a part of a film with such “goliath landscapes, which you may imagine existing on planets in our universe, but not on Earth.”
So goliath was this film in fact, that it will be released in two instalments — with the first to hit cinemas in December 2020.
“I would not agree to make this adaptation of the book with one single movie,” Villeneuve said in the same interview. “The world is too complex. It’s a world that takes its power in details.”
“It’s a book that tackles politics, religion, ecology, spirituality—and with a lot of characters,” he said later on. “I think that’s why it’s so difficult. Honestly, it’s by far the most difficult thing I’ve done in my life.”
Cast
Starring alongside Chalamet is Zendaya (The Greatest Showman) as Chani, Rebecca Ferguson (Doctor Sleep) as Lady Jessica, Oscar Isaacs as Leto Atreides (Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker), Jason Momoa (Aquaman) as Duncan Idaho, Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy) as Glossu ‘Beast’ Rabban, Stellan Skarsgård (Chernobyl) as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, Javier Bardem (Everybody Knows) as Stilgar, Josh Brolin (Avengers: Endgame) as Gurney Halleck, David Dastmalchian (Dark Knight) as Piter De Vries and Stephen McKinley Henderson (Devs) as Thufir.
First Look Photographs
On April 15, Vanity Fair released the first official stills from the film, which teases Chalamet as Paul Atreides, a 15-year-old heir to a noble family, the House Atreides, and the hero of the story.
The images also showed Zendaya, Isaac, Ferguson, and Brolin in their post-apocalyptic space gear alongside another of director Dennis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049, Arrival) and Bardem on set.
Director Denis Villeneuve, pictured here with Javier Bardem, will bring #Dune to life with not one, but two epic films:
“I would not agree to make this adaptation of the book with one single movie. The world is too complex. It’s a world that takes its power in details." pic.twitter.com/aTcXkgeva0
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) April 14, 2020
#DUNE FIRST LOOK: Rebecca Ferguson is Lady Jessica Atreides.
“She’s a mother, she’s a concubine, she’s a soldier,” says Ferguson. “The quality of the arcs for much of the women have been brought up to a new level."
More from @Breznican: https://t.co/ubFGRO3FWu pic.twitter.com/lN9HU00SWr
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) April 14, 2020
Dune will hit Australian cinemas on October 21, 2021.