Denis Villeneuve’s Dune

Sad Professor

This was rumoured a while ago and is now official. Denis Villeneuve has signed on to direct a new adaptation of Frank Herbert's Dune.

Mickeroo

Interesting, there's a great film to be made there. Hope he can pull it off.

Sad Professor

Nothing from the trades yet, but this tweet suggests a series of films.

https://twitter.com/DuneAuthor/status/826641857400565760

Sad Professor

Mickeroo wrote: »

Interesting, there's a great film to be made there. Hope he can pull it off.

I think if anyone can he can. I can’t think of a more perfect choice for Dune.

I would imagine that we would be better off waiting to see how he handles the Blade Runner reboot first. Arrival, Sicario, & Prisoners were all incredible movies, but they were all relatively low budget affairs compared to how I'd imagine Blade Runner will be.

pixelburp

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration."

On the face of it, this is heartening news; Blade Runner notwithstanding given it's yet to darken a cinema, Denis Villeneuve hasn't put a foot wrong and shown a muted, but distinct visual flair with his work. And while I doubt we'll see anything as baroque as David Lynch's famous flop, IMO the Dune universe requires a strong visual identity to mark its universe and factions.

Side thought: I wonder if we may also see some new video game adaptations: it's a bit nuts to think the only successful adaptations of the universe were as RTS games in the mould of command & conquer

I don't know how I feel about this... I would really love to see a new adaption but I don't want to be disappointed. I loved the doc about Jodorowsky's vision for the books because it was so wild and there was so much consideration going into every aspect of it. HR Giger and Moebius were inspired choices and their work on the production looked brilliant!
I remember seeing this post about an artist's concept art and it made me want an animation rather than a live-action rendition of Dune. It would be even better to see an anime Dune.
I don't know much about Villeneuve but I liked Prisoners (did not like Sicario). It'll be interesting to see how Blade Runner turns out which also has a lot of weight attached to it, so in a way Villeneuve already understands pressure.
If I had to pick a director right now I'd say Del Toro but that might not work either because his work of late has taken a downturn... Maybe even go in a different direction entirely with someone like Robert Rodriguez or Brad Bird or Jim Jarmusch or Luc Besson!
I suppose I hope Villeneuve doesn't play it too safe at the end of the day and water it down for a mainstream audience. Jodorowsky wanted a psychedelic mind**** and I think i want that too.

Does anyone have any casting suggestions? I think the last thing anyone wants right now is a whitewash (and at this point the casting directors can probably take creative licence and cast whoever they want despite whatever descriptions there are in the books considering that Hollywood has always been reimagining PoC characters as white for too long)

I vote Jaden Smith for Paul (and Will for Leto

Mickeroo

pixelburp wrote: »

"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration."

Even though I've read Dune and seen the David Lynch and SciFi adaptations this will always forever be associated with Earthworm Jim for me. :pac:

pixelburp

Reed Most Self-incrimination wrote: »

Does anyone have any casting suggestions? I think the last thing anyone wants right now is a whitewash (and at this point the casting directors can probably take creative licence and cast whoever they want despite whatever descriptions there are in the books considering that Hollywood has always been reimagining PoC characters as white for too long)

I vote Jaden Smith for Paul (and Will for Leto

There's definitely a chance to more accurately cast the characters this time around in terms of ethnicity, but Jaden Smith?? He's a fairly terrible actor and only has a career thanks to his Da.

It's a while since I've read the book but I wonder what liberties they'll take with the plot to avoid comparisons with current politics: correct me if I'm wrong but

doesn't our hero, Paul incite a literal Jihad, becoming a living god figure?

With the fairly overt Middle Eastern themes and inspiration overall, I'd be surprised if Legendary don't try and water the plot down a little to make it a broader blockbuster.

charlie_says

I love Dune. Fingers crossed.

pixelburp

pixelburp wrote: »

There's definitely a chance to more accurately cast the characters this time around in terms of ethnicity, but Jaden Smith?? He's a fairly terrible actor and only has a career thanks to his Da.

It's a while since I've read the book but I wonder what liberties they'll take with the plot to avoid comparisons with current politics: correct me if I'm wrong but

doesn't our hero, Paul incite a literal Jihad, becoming a living god figure?

With the fairly overt Middle Eastern themes and inspiration overall, I'd be surprised if Legendary don't try and water the plot down a little to make it a broader blockbuster.

I hope they don't omit the jihad or change the language in it because the whole franchise is inspired by islam and middle eastern ideas. I realise a lot of producers might want to steer away from that though...

AMKC

So I here they are going to remake this classic now as well.

Denis Villeneuve is going to direct it.

I wonder will it be as long as the original. I hope its at least 2.5 hours long or even 3.
Will be very interesting to see who they get to star in it.

What does everyone else here think of this?

Slydice

I'm hopeful. I've seen two of his films: Arrival and Sicario. Thought both were done really well.

Waiting on Blade Runner 2049 next to see how he gets on when going into a pre-existing Universe.

Also gotten hold of two of his previous films but haven't gotten around to watching them yet: Enemy and Prisoners.

For Dune, I got into it through the Mini-Series, then the books and then watched the film. Not pushed about the film compared to the Mini-Series and it was for TV. The books went so much further. I barely remember the film compared to the mini-series but especially the books. So maybe it woulda been better to do the film first

Slydice

Ok, so then I got thinking about casting and who for House Atreides?

Here's a only a quick start at a possible cast..

How about:
Duke Leto Atreides - Liam Neeson
(Recent: Silence. Previously: Taken films, Nolans Batman Films, Michael Collins, Schindler's List)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liam_Neeson

He's got form playing Leader/Tactical/Dad (also actual Dad of 2)

Lady Jessica - Sandra Bullock
(Recent: Gravity. Previously: Crash)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Bullock

She's got some space action experience. Might need a good Director. (also actual Mam of 2 and at 52 is 12 years younger than Neeson which is close to the Leto/Jessica 14 years)

Paul Atreides - Jack Reynor
(Recent: Sing Street. Previously: What Richard Did)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Reynor

Apparently also played King Malcolm III of Scotland in Fassbenders Macbeth recently but I haven't seen that.

Alia Atreides - Shree Crooks
(Recent: Captain Fantastic. Previously: Ray Donovan)
No wiki so: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5369197/

Only young actress I can remember from recently. Mainly because I thought Captain Fantastic good. (also 13 years younger than Reynor which is close to the Paul/Alia 15 years)

What ya think? Any suggestions/alternatives?

AMKC

Would love to see Liam Neesen get a part in it and if he can give 150% maybe even win an award or two for it. That man is overdue some big awards. He deserves to be given a part where he might get to win some.

I also think Sandra Bullock is another great suggestion.

Thanks to the mod for moving my first post. I looked for dune found nothing and then posted about it. I did not realise there was already a thread started on it which is great. It did not come up on my search.

.ak

Please... no Bullock...

Thargor

Sandra Bullock FFS, what are people smoking? (Spice?)

Slydice

Slydice wrote: »

Any suggestions/alternatives?

:pac:

pixelburp

Given the book's settings and inspirations, an all-white cast would see like a fairly tone deaf decision were it made for this second adaptation. IF the intention with the new script is to keep those Middle Eastern, political themes intact it would be a shame not to reinforce that with a diverse cast.

pixelburp

pixelburp wrote: »

Given the book's settings and inspirations, an all-white cast would see like a fairly tone deaf decision were it made for this second adaptation. IF the intention with the new script is to keep those Middle Eastern, political themes intact it would be a shame not to reinforce that with a diverse cast.

I'd love to see the Atreides as Far Eastern and the Fremen as Middle Eastern. The Harkonnen's can be white because they're evil.

Ralf and Florian

Reed Most Self-incrimination wrote: »

Does anyone have any casting suggestions? I think the last thing anyone wants right now is a whitewash (and at this point the casting directors can probably take creative licence and cast whoever they want despite whatever descriptions there are in the books considering that Hollywood has always been reimagining PoC characters as white for too long)

I vote Jaden Smith for Paul (and Will for Leto

You're joking right? Movie killer Will Smith and his boring brood.

Slydice

Not sure if trailer for a film or Nicole Kidman auditioning to be Lady Jessica:

Also works age wise.. plus an awards list that's pretty hard to ignore!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Nicole_Kidman

Tigger

Duke Leto I: "The Duke was tall, olive-skinned. His thin face held harsh angles warmed only by deep gray eyes"
Lady Jessica: "The face was oval under a cap of hair the color of polished bronze. Her eyes were set wide, as green and clear as the morning skies of Caladan. The nose was small, the mouth wide and generous. Her figure was good but scant: tall and with its curves gone to slimness."
Paul: "face oval like Jessica's, but strong bones . . . hair: the Duke's black-black but with browline of the maternal grandfather who cannot be named, and that thin, disdainful nose; shape of directly staring green eyes"

Tigger

Tigger wrote: »

Duke Leto I: "The Duke was tall, olive-skinned. His thin face held harsh angles warmed only by deep gray eyes"
Lady Jessica: "The face was oval under a cap of hair the color of polished bronze. Her eyes were set wide, as green and clear as the morning skies of Caladan. The nose was small, the mouth wide and generous. Her figure was good but scant: tall and with its curves gone to slimness."
Paul: "face oval like Jessica's, but strong bones . . . hair: the Duke's black-black but with browline of the maternal grandfather who cannot be named, and that thin, disdainful nose; shape of directly staring green eyes"

and that grandaddy is

baron harkonnen

so if we want a perfectly true adaption we'd have to see a tiny bit of family resemblance.

Thargor

Reed Most Self-incrimination wrote: »

and that

grandaddy is baron harkonnen

so if we want a perfectly true adaption we'd have to see a tiny bit of family resemblance.

Might want to watch the spoilers there.

Thargor

Wonder if they'll make Baron Harkonnen morbidly obese that needs repulsors to support his flab? Also a paedophile rapist who likes young boys but I doubt they'll go that far.

I think that's the one good thing that came from the Lynch Dune. The Harkonnen's really looked the part. And Brad Dourif's mentat was great.

I loved Sting.

Slydice

Eric Roth on board

The New Dune Movie Is Being Written By the Man Who Wrote Forrest Gump
https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-new-dune-movie-is-being-written-by-the-man-who-wrot-1794046167

Sad Professor

Timothee Chalamet in talks to play Paul Atreides.

Not quite who I was expecting but extremely pleased to see this film is still happening.

pixelburp

Never heard of the guy tbh, but delighted to hear this film is still actually happening. Excited to see what Villeneuve comes up with - a long overdue adaptation

Sad Professor

Chalamet is best know for Call Me By Your Name, which I haven't seen yet, but I know him from Miss Stevens and Lady Bird. And he played young Casey Affleck in Interstellar.

It's so long since I've read the book that I forgot that Atreides is a teenager at the beginning, so age wise he's probably right.

Villeneuve suggested a while ago that the film might be split in two a la It, which I'm not crazy about but is probably an inevitable result of BR2049's box office.

CatFromHue

Reed Most Self-incrimination wrote: »

I think that's the one good thing that came from the Lynch Dune. The Harkonnen's really looked the part. And Brad Dourif's mentat was great.

I loved Sting.

Ed Sheeran was born to play this guy

Beechwoodspark

Sad Professor wrote: »

Timothee Chalamet in talks to play Paul Atreides.

Not quite who I was expecting but extremely pleased to see this film is still happening.

From seeing him in a few different productions, Chalamet is an excellent young actor

pixelburp

One small tidbit of info via Brian Herbert, the film will only cover half of the first book. Obviously that's going to leave a lot of potential for sequels, should the movie be successful - though I hope it can still stand on its own somehow.

Been a long while since I read the book, so can't recall what might be a good endpoint that wasn't the actual finale.

https://mobile.twitter.com/DuneAuthor/status/1021269122691182601

Slydice

If it's the first half, my guess is that it'll be universe building.
Probably no harm to set the scene.

Cut point then probably...
just after when they meet the Fremen
or
just before as the Harkonnens start their move

Sad Professor

Ugh, I assume we have BR2049's box office results to blame on the split. I'd have preferred a single 3+ hour movie, but as long as the second film definitely happens I won't mind so much. Hopefully the studio won't mess up the marketing.

pixelburp

Sad Professor wrote: »

Ugh, I assume we have BR2049's box office results to blame on the split. I'd have preferred a single 3+ hour movie, but as long as the second film definitely happens I won't mind so much. Hopefully the studio won't mess up the marketing.

So apparently Villeneuve had previously made comments that he intended splitting the book into two films, I guess Herbert Jr.s comments confirm this. Suppose it's speculation how much of this decision is down to the box office of Blade Runner 2049 - Dune is a pretty dense novel

beauf

Sad Professor wrote: »

Ugh, I assume we have BR2049's box office results to blame on the split. .....

I haven't been following this story. What results?

I can't imagine Dune being a big hit as it's too left of centre for a mainstream audience. That said I would have thought the same thing of Lord of the Rings.

mikhail

pixelburp wrote: »

Been a long while since I read the book, so can't recall what might be a good endpoint that wasn't the actual finale.

The book is in at least two distinct parts. I recall a break somewhere around the time Paul and Jessica escape the initial invasion.

pixelburp

I just hope the studio didn't presume 'woo! franchise!' when greenlighting an ostensible multi novel, highly regarded sci-fi series. It's not without reason Dune has only been adapted twice (with mixed results) in its 50 year history.

Wombatman

Would have been awsome if Jodorowsky got his funding in 1976. They estimated his script would have resulted in a 14 hour movie! If it was today it would have resulted in a HBO mega series.

Alejandro Jodorowsky, who (along with producer Michel Seydoux) proceeded to approach, among others, Virgin Records with the prog rock groups Tangerine Dream, Gong and Mike Oldfield before settling on Pink Floyd and Magma for some of the music; artists H. R. Giger, Chris Foss and Jean Giraud for set and character design; Dan O'Bannon for special effects; and Salvador Dalí, Orson Welles, Gloria Swanson, David Carradine, Mick Jagger, Udo Kier, Amanda Lear and others for the cast

Tony EH

In all likelihood Jodorowsky's 'Dune' would have been awful. But, it certainly makes for an interesting what if.


Perhaps Vileneuve can make a good go of it. There's parts to Lynch's version that I love but, as a whole, it's a pretty poor film and the TV series with William Hurt was just boring.


Dune is just one of those books I guess.

pixelburp

Jodorowsky's Dune always sounded so batsh*t crazy and IIRC he wanted to simulate the effect of a LSD trip. I mean why not I guess but college was a long time ago now and that idea just doesn't rev my engines. It'd be a waste of a good story.

Whatll be interesting in this new adaptation will just how far the middle eastern, anti colonial elements will be taken. There are clear analogues at play in the book - heck the native rebellion is referred to as a Jihad - and they'd remain fairly incendiary today if the script stays true to the book. Can't see American conservatives loving it

beauf

Tony EH wrote: »

In all likelihood Jodorowsky's 'Dune' would have been awful. But, it certainly makes for an interesting what if.


Perhaps Vileneuve can make a good go of it. There's parts to Lynch's version that I love but, as a whole, it's a pretty poor film and the TV series with William Hurt was just boring.


Dune is just one of those books I guess.

I liked most of the lynch movie. Some distinctly odd bits though.

Then again it's a odd series of books too.

Tony EH

pixelburp wrote: »

Jodorowsky's Dune always sounded so batsh*t crazy and IIRC he wanted to simulate the effect of a LSD trip. I mean why not I guess but college was a long time ago now and that idea just doesn't rev my engines. It'd be a waste of a good story.

Whatll be interesting in this new adaptation will just how far the middle eastern, anti colonial elements will be taken. There are clear analogues at play in the book - heck the native rebellion is referred to as a Jihad - and they'd remain fairly incendiary today if the script stays true to the book. Can't see American conservatives loving it

Don't think Hollywood are too concerned with the faux-outrages of American conservatives and good enough too. If fools on the American right want to conflate a science fiction book/film's use of the word with modern day Jihadi's, let them go right ahead. It'll just make them look idiotic.

Also, don't remember Lynch's version of the Fremen mentioned the word Jihad either?

Tony EH

beauf wrote: »

I liked most of the lynch movie. Some distinctly odd bits though.

A lot of it is good and very entertaining. Those parts are mostly contained to the beginning of the film though. The scene where the navigators arrive to meet Shaddam is fantastic in its weirdness.

Later stuff with Paul leading the Fremen is pretty bad, both in a narrative sense and especially effects wise. His sister too is bloody terrible. Those overdubs for her are remarkable. The whole thing eventually becomes a mess really.

I think Lynch's main problem is that Dune requires more than one film to really get the world across to the viewer. Especially one who's never read the book.

However, one of my issues I'll have with this new adaptation will be that I can now only see a lot of the actors in Lynch's 'Dune' as their literary counterparts. Kyle MacLachlan is Paul Artreides in my mind. I only see Sting as Feyd and Kenneth McMillan as Baron Harkonnen. Sian Philips and Jose Ferrer will forever be the Reverend Mother and Emperor Shaddam.

It'll take something to shift that.

pixelburp

Yeah, the narrative is a mess, especially near the end when it just goes off the deep end - complete with a book-breaking final moment.

In terms of aesthetics and production design though, the film is just fantastically ... baroque, really. It's a shame Lynch disowned the production because I'd love to know how much of a hand he had, particularly in those visuals. The Harkonnen homeworld particularly gross and Lynch'ian (from what I recall of it), with an overall fanciful & dreamlike quality that makes it memorable, despite the structural problems.

Sad Professor

Dave Bautista has been cast as Rabban.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dave-bautista-joins-timoth-e-chalamet-denis-villeneuves-dune-1174273

pixelburp

Bautista has his fair share of VOD rubbish, but the man keeps popping up in interesting projects, working with interesting directors & seems to be someone wanting and willing to learn his trade. His grumbling, 'wounded bear' style was one of the bright spots in Hotel Artemis (the last thing I saw him in).

I'm still waiting for the shoe to drop on this project though and it disappear into the ether again.

Dades

Really like Bautista. Apart from Spectre (not his fault) he's great in anything I've seen him in. Even Final Score.