Dune World (2021)
In 2011, Mary Parent, vice chair of worldwide production for Legendary Entertainment, and Cale Boyter, her producer partner, managed to acquire adaptation rights.[19] Eventually, Legendary acquired the film and TV rights for Dune in November 2016.[20][21] Variety reported in December 2016 that Denis Villeneuve was in talks with the studio to direct the film.[22] Villeneuve had expressed his interest in the project in September 2016, saying that "a longstanding dream of mine is to adapt Dune, but it's a long process to get the rights, and I don't think I will succeed".[23] Villeneuve's enthusiasm to direct a Dune film earned Parent's respect, who called Villeneuve, and quickly hired him after Villeneuve described his vision for the film to her. He chose to complete his other films, such as Arrival (2016) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017), as he wanted to spend more time to develop the film and co-write it himself. He also felt "Dune is my world" due to his background in directing science fiction films.[19][24] By February 2017, Villeneuve was officially confirmed to be directing the film.[25]
Dune World (2021)
The set design for the film was done by production designer Patrice Vermette.[61] Vermette stated that the set design for Dune would be guided by the need "to ground the story into realistic settings to help the audience believe in the extraordinary elements". They sought to make the sets as realistic and immersive as possible, and used minimal set extension, and no greenscreens.[19][62] Prior to the creation of any sets or any visual effects for the film, Villeneuve and a team of select people, including his storyboard artist, and later, concept artist Deak Ferrand, worked together to define the visual language for the film, while Vermette created a "visual bible" to guide the development of the set design and to keep it consistent with the visual effects design used throughout the film and eventually later "came on board to extrapolate the world". He also re-read the novel, as he felt that "the book gives a lot of clues or cues that will help you navigate it to design things, but it's quite nonspecific", adding that he wanted to support Villeneuve's original vision of the novel when he read it as a young teenager, and base the design around Herbert's original novel. The team's early mood boards for the visual language of the film consisted of a variety of images, including ziggurat architecture from Mesopotamia, Egyptian references, bunkers from World War II, brutalist architecture from Brazil and the Soviet Union, megastructures conceived by Superstudio, marble mines, power dams, and imagery of glaciers taking over mountains.[19][62][63][64]
The design for the ornithopthers was conceived by Villeneuve and storyboard artist Sam Hudecki. Villeneuve wanted the ornithopther to resemble a dragonfly and helicopter, describing it as "muscular", but also wanting it to be realistic, adding that he wanted the vehicles to "obey the laws of nature, gravity, and physics". He noted that he thought the overall world of Dune was retro-futuristic and analog. He wanted his team to design the cockpits in a way so that it allowed the actors inside to "always be in visual contact with the landscape and feeling the impact of the landscape seen from above". Two ornithopther models, 48 and 75 feet long, were created for filming by London propmakers. The models were functional, with the doors and interior cockpit area being operable. The models weighed over 11 tons, and required an Antonov cargo plane to ship them to filming locations in Hungary and Jordan. One ornithopter, nicknamed "The Bucket", that was used in shooting had customizable pieces, which allowed for more space during filming. Cranes were also used to make the models fly, as in a scene which involves Paul and Gurney watching a sandworm consume the spice harvester. He added that though it was difficult to use ornithopthers for filming, he felt it was "quite rewarding to see them in position in the desert".[65][66]
Vanity Fair published a two-part extensive first-look report on Dune by April 14, 2020.[35] Empire's October 2020 issue's cover story included an in-depth look at the film and interviews with cast and crew, providing additional first looks ahead of the film's trailer release.[107] A teaser trailer was released on September 9, 2020, featuring a remix of the Pink Floyd song "Eclipse" (1973) combined with Zimmer's score.[108][109] Zack Sharf of IndieWire gave the trailer a positive review, and wrote "It's full of eye-popping set design", in addition to stating, "The two [Denis Villeneuve and Greig Fraser] have brought a tangibility to Frank Herbert's world that should make Dune a visceral experience for moviegoers."[110] Miles Surrey from The Ringer also gave the trailer a positive review, and felt the trailer "undoubtedly looks promising" and noted that though the source material has been "notoriously unadaptable", though he felt "the curse could be broken" due to the cast and Villeneuve's direction.[111] Similarly, Deadline Hollywood's Dino-Ray Ramos also praised the trailer for its scale, writing that it contained "sci-fi prestige and the epic scale that includes mind-boggling action, elegant cinematography and fantastical nuances that still leave room for grounded and very human storytelling".[109]
The first 10 minutes of the film were screened in select IMAX theaters worldwide on July 21 and 22, 2021, in an event that also included a behind-the-scenes look at the film and the debut of the film's theatrical trailer, on July 22.[112][113] Angela Wattercutter of Wired stated that the trailer "is begging you to see it in theaters".[114] Jennifer Yuma from Variety praised the cast and visuals, and praised its scope, calling the trailer "epic".[115] Similarly, Aaron Couch from The Hollywood Reporter also praised the cast and thought the film was an "ambitious sci-fi adaptation".[116] Anthony Breznican from Vanity Fair also gave the trailer a positive review and stated, "It will seem more mysterious to those unfamiliar with the story, but like Chani does herself in those dream missives to Paul, it hints at big, impressive things to come."[117] Vulture's Zoe Haylock was also impressed by the trailer, and advocated watching the film in theaters, praising the visuals as "transcendental natural settings".[118] Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Christian Holub felt the trailer "sets the stage cleanly".[119]
Dune had its world premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2021.[137][138] It also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival with an IMAX premiere screening at the Ontario Place Cinesphere on September 11, 2021.[139][140] Jason Momoa tested positive for COVID-19 after attending the film's London premiere on October 15, 2021.[141][142] On October 17, the film was leaked online ahead of its planned United States and HBO Max release.[143][144]
Dune grossed $108.3 million in the United States and Canada, and $293.7 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $402 million.[3][4] Deadline Hollywood reported that a total box office gross of $300 million, the combined cost of production and marketing, "will make many happy from an image-standpoint, even if breakeven is far north of that."[153]
Other critics commented on issues related to pacing and handling of the source material.[188][189] Critic Owen Gleiberman of Variety wrote: "It's an act of world-building that runs out of storytelling steam ... Dune is out to wow us, and sometimes succeeds, but it also wants to get under your skin like a hypnotically toxic mosquito ... as the movie begins to run out of tricks, it turns woozy and amorphous."[196] Kevin Maher of The Times gave two out of five stars, stating that while "every frame ... is spectacular", "Dune is also kind of boring".[197] Reviewing the film for TheWrap, Steve Pond called the film "both dazzling and frustrating, often spectacular and often slow" and said, "This version of Dune sometimes feels as if it aims to impress you more than entertain you; it's grim on a staggering level, ditching most of the fun of sci-fi yarns in favor of a worldview that feels more like Villeneuve's Sicario or Prisoners than his Arrival."[198]
Dune: Part One tells the story of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), as he and his family, the noble House Atreides, are thrust into a war for the dangerous desert planet Arrakis (also known as Dune). The natives of this planet, the Fremen people, have battled for years against the invaders, the House Harkonnen. The House of Harkonnen has oppressed the Fremen in order to mine the planet for a special spice that is known to extend human life, provide superhuman levels of thought, and make faster-than-light travel practical. The Harkonnen are given this authority by the Emperor until he chooses to give this power over to House Atreides. This sets off a chain of tragic events that leaves Paul struggling to find his way under a new world order.
Now, for those not familiar with science-fiction stories, much of that plot overview may sound like high-fantasy jargon. Yet, the sci-fi genre has often been used as a means of reflecting real world issues through fantastical allegories, and Dune is no different. Themes such as self-determination, capitalist greed, and environmentalism are all woven into this fantasy story, making for an often tense and powerful viewing experience.
Chauncey K. Robinson is an award winning journalist and film critic. Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, she has a strong love for storytelling and history. She believes narrative greatly influences the way we see the world, which is why she's all about dissecting and analyzing stories and culture to help inform and empower the people. 041b061a72