The movie Dune is an adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel. The movie is set 8,000 years into the future. This future setting features a feudal intergalactic society in which the various celestial estates or houses govern. The story begins with a prince-like character named Paul Atreides who finds himself in charge of a desert planet called Arrakis. On Arrakis, the native people must defend themselves from outsiders who mine their land for spice, a mystical substance that’s valuable enough to cause wars. In the film, Paul is believed to be “The One” who will help save those who are taken advantage of by greedy outsiders who would kill for their spice, including those from other celestial estates.
The name “Dune” comes from the planet Arrakis, the planet that contains what is best known as spice. The planet is practically a populated desert wasteland. On Arrakis, the dunes, which look almost identical to sand dunes, are all made up of spice. The value of just one pinch of the spice in the wrong hands could end in warfare. The spice is quite wonderful and is what the economy of the intergalactic society revolves around. The spice can do wonders technologically, physically, and much more. It takes on a big role in the storyline.
Frank Herbert wrote five Dune sequels. The novels are still considered a classic series from the sci-fi genre. Even though Dune was written about 60 years ago, its themes still hold up today. The director of the most recent re-creation of Dune decided that it would be a good idea to split the first book in half, so this film that came out October 22nd of this year has a sequel. Dune: Part Two will open in theaters on October 20, 2023, from Warner Bros. It’s also said that Zendaya, who plays the role of Chani in the film, will be significantly expanded in the coming sequel.
Although Denis Villeneuve, the director of the most recent Dune film, has assured of there being a sequel, he has been hinting at a possible remake of the second book in the series, The Messiah of Dune. In the sequel/the other half of the Dune novel, Villeneuve claims that “it could make a great and extraordinary film.” He also claims that “part one was to create, to design, to build a foundation to this world.” Villeneuve continues to explain, “If ever such a thing as part two occurs, if I ever have the chance to do it, it’s going to be pure fun. Now the world is there, I don’t have to explain almost nothing (sic). It’s just pure cinematic joy after this.” The director goes on to say, “In a strange way, Dune Part 1 is the appetizer, Dune Part 2 is the real meal.”
Dune is available on HBO Max and playing in theaters today. I would recommend this film if you like science fiction and the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert.
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