Director Denis Villeneuve can rest assured. He can knit a sequel Dune. Film studio Legendary Entertainment and distributor Warner wanted to wait for the proceeds of the first film before giving the green light to a sequel.
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“It would be very strange if the second part doesn’t come,” said director Denis Villeneuve on the release of Dune at this newspaper. He refused to put Frank Herbert’s entire book in one film, but filming both parts at the same time would be too expensive, the studio ruled. ‘As a precaution, I put all my dreams and desires into this film. If it doesn’t stop there, I’m sure I’ll be sad, but I won’t be devastated,” Villeneuve said.
The Canadian director can breathe a sigh of relief. His film has raised enough at the box office to allow for a second installment. In the American opening weekend, Dune good for $40 million. In the rest of the world, the film is said to have grossed more than $110 million.
Exclusive in the cinema
A simultaneous release in the US on streaming platform HBO Max, however, hung like a shadow over the planetary desert saga. Warner, which distributes and partially finances the film, made that decision because it feared a limited turnout in cinemas due to the corona virus. Director Villeneuve and DuneStudio Legendary Entertainment made it clear that they were dissatisfied with it. Villeneuve’s colleague Christopher Nolan broke up for similar reasons even his ties to Warner. The film giant now seems to be pulling its tail: the sequel to Dune will be released exclusively in cinemas again, know Variety.
Dune: part 2 is expected to hit theaters in October 2023. The first book and the dream of Villeneuve is thus completed. Although he can still draw on five consecutive great books after that. What is in any case certain: film star Zendaya will show up longer in the second part than the meager seven minutes from part 1. Her character Chani also only demands a larger role in the book from the second half.
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