Arrakis, Dune..
Ever since the arrival of the long awaited and often delayed Dune part one fans old and
new alike have been eager to return to the desert planet for the story’s epic conclusion.
Dune Part 2 is currently set to release in theaters October 20th 2023, and as production
for the sequel begins ramping up Deni Villneuve has given an update in a recent interview
with Empire magazine on the film’s progress and teased what fans can expect to see from
this highly anticipated sequel.
In this video I’d like to breakdown this recent interview and what this indicates regarding
Dune Part 2.
I’ll leave a link in the description for Empire’s interview if you’d like to check
it out.
In what was previously deemed unfilmable Deni Villneuve has seemingly done the impossible
by bringing Frank Herbert’s grand universe to life on screen and yet it can be said that
Dune Part one barely scratched the surface of the intricate tale which puts all the more
pressure on the accomplished filmmaker for part 2.
In keeping with the pattern of facing insurmountable challenges when adapting this complex story,
Villneuve overcame several obstacles and setbacks which threatened the film’s success.
In comparison to what it took to make part 1, Denis indicated that they are having a
somewhat smoother road on the way to filming the sequel.
When speaking with Empire the Director said quote:
“We are supposed to shoot by the end of the summer,” he says.
“I will say it is mostly designed.
The thing that helps us right now is that it’s the first time I’ve revisited a universe.
So I’m working with the same crew, everybody knows what to do, we know what it will look
like.
The movie will be more challenging, but we know where we are stepping.
And the screenplay is written.
So I feel confident.
Frankly, the only big unknown for me right now is the pandemic.”
The Director certainly seems excited as ever and eager to get started in completing his
adaptation.
It’s reassuring how confident he is and how smoothly pre-production has gone.
Deni has confirmed the screenplay is already written, that the crew previously assembled
all know their jobs, the director’s approach and vision so even though filming the sequel
will be more challenging everyone knows where they are stepping and ready to go full steam
ahead to start filming at the end of summer.
Many fans are certainly eager to see more of the universe fleshed out.
For me one of the biggest issues I had with the first film was simply a desire for more.
I was missing scenes that would have delved into the politics of the Empire, the role
of the Mentats and the cunning plans within plans of the evil House Harkonnen.
In particular I was wanting more development for the Harkonnen antagonists.
This desire was not only from fans though even one of Dune’s stars Jason Momoa professed
he wanted to see the 4 to 5 hour Director’s cut of the film to see Villneuve’s complete
vision for this adaptation.
Fan’s hope in a director’s cut only increased when it was revealed just how much of the
film was left on the cutting room floor.
While Villneuve has affirmed that the released version was his complete vision, he has indicated
his intention was to leave some elements a mystery to be expounded upon in the sequel.
The director has commented before that the Spacing Guild and space travel as well as
the Mentat world will be explored more in part 2 and in this most recent interview he
touched on the expanded role of the Harkonnens saying:
“When you adapt, you have to make bold choices in order for the things to come to life.
And I think that was the best way to introduce this world to a wide audience.
Now in the second one, I want to have more flexibility, and it will be possible to go
a little bit deeper into some of these details,” he explains.
“It’s like a chess game.
Some new characters will be introduced in the second part and a decision I made very
early on was that this first part would be more about Paul Atreides and the Bene Gesserit,
and his experience of being in contact for the first time with a different culture,”
says Villeneuve.
“Second part, there will be much more Harkonnen stuff.”
Deni certainly succeeded in setting up Paul’s journey and the schemes of the Bene Gesserit.
The scenes Paul shares with his parents and his mentors are superbly executed.
While I hoped for more regarding the other elements that make up Frank Herbert’s Dune,
Villneuve’s passion for the source material is undeniable.
He demonstrated a firm grasp on the main themes and characters but I can’t wait to see the
results from the director’s greater creative flexibility this next time around.
As he dives deeper into the details of this unique universe I’m especially looking forward
to seeing the continued development of the antagonists of this story.
While the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen was certainly imposing, threatening and repulsive, I was
missing his cunning and fierce ambition from this first entry.
I also felt we didn’t see much at all from Beast Rabban so now I feel like part 2 will
have some catching up to do when it comes to these characters as well as providing an
effective introduction for the Harkonne heir Feyd-Rautha Who I feel will be instrumental
in facilitating a satisfying climax to this sci-fi epic.
Certainly with the expanded role that Villenvue has promised for the harkonnens i’m hoping
that much of that screen time will go toward the development of Feyd Rautha
I can’t help but be a little concerned regarding whether or not there will be enough screen
time for everyone.
There is now definitely a lot more on the filmmaker’s plate as he now takes the opportunity
to explore more of the Fremen, the Empire, the Spacing Guild, the Mentat Order and House
Harkonnen with the addition of Feyd-Rautha.
To handle all this while balancing the stories of the main and supporting character’s continued
journeys is certainly a tall order.
But the director seems ready to go in moving forward with the monumental challenge set
before him saying: “I just want to experience it, be present with it, every single moment
of it,” he says.
“When I shoot a film, I shoot it like all my movies, as if it’s the last one.
I will do the same with Part Two.”
Considering where Villeneuve and company decided to end Dune part 1 most fans were relieved
to hear the news of Warner Brothers’ greenlighting the sequel.
There seems to be a general consensus regarding the first film and that it feels only like
the start of the story and as such, it goes without saying that it would have been a massive
disappointment for fans and general audiences alike had we never gotten part two.
It definitely will be interesting to see how Villeneuve decides to wrap up the story of
Dune and what hints he'll choose to include leading toward the continuation of the saga
in the books that follow.
I would think Villeuve would be feeling even more pressure in filming part 2 but judging
by his excitement to revisit this universe and his confidence level, his vision for the
path forward seems clear to him and I can’t help but be excited as well for what’s to
come.
This is only the beginning.
But I’m curious to know what you think about Deni Villneuve’s approach so far in Dune
Part One and for the conclusion to come.
What are you looking forward to seeing in the upcoming sequel?
Are there any particular elements from Frank Herbert’s universe that you are hoping to
see fleshed out in more detail?
Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.
I hope you enjoyed this video.
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news and lore.
Thank you all so much for your support and as always have a very nerdy day.