In a different world, Dune: Part Two would already be playing in theaters, but the sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s excellent adaptation of Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel is still a few months away. I’m certain Dune: Part Two will be well worth the wait, and Villeneuve teases that it will be “more of an action movie” than the first movie.
“The first movie was more meditative and contemplative. We were following a young man discovering a new planet, a new culture,” Denis Villeneuve told Total Film. “The second movie… it’s more of an action film than the first part. It’s more muscular.” Sequels typically tend to be bigger than their predecessors, and Dune: Part Two will continue that trend, literally. Villeneuve and cinematographer Greig Fraser shot 100% of the Dune sequel with IMAX cameras, a significant increase over the 35-40% of IMAX footage found in Part One.
It’s possible that Dune: Part Two will not be the end of the saga as Villeneuve has teased a third movie based on Dune Messiah. “If I succeed in making a trilogy, that would be the dream,” Villeneuve said. “Dune Messiah was written in reaction to the fact that people perceived Paul Atreides as a hero…Which is not what he wanted to do. My adaptation [of Dune] is closer to his idea that it’s actually a warning.” I honestly never expected that Villeneuve’s Dune would be a success, but despite the simultaneous release in theaters and HBO Max, the film did become a modest box-office success, grossing $402 million worldwide. Hopefully Dune: Part Two will perform another miracle, and Villeneuve will get to return to Arrakis.
Dune: Part Two will “explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.” The film was supposed to have hit theaters last month, but the release was pushed back to March 1, 2024.
Are you ready for more action in Dune: Part Two?