In terms of classic sci-fi book to movie adaptations, it’s hard to get bigger than Dune.
Frank Herbert’s iconic novel has seen its fair share of big-screen attempts, including a film from David Lynch. But this next live-action Dune adaptation will be one of the biggest yet.
Here’s what you need to know about the new Dune movie before its release date.
What’s Dune all about?
Dune is a sci-fi epic that spans multiple planets, families, religions and political systems in the distant future.
This is what you can expect in the movie, based on Warner Bros’ synopsis:
A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people.
As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
There’s also giant sandworms, but more on that in the trailer.
Dune trailer
We’ve been treated to a couple of sneak peeks when it comes to Dune. Two trailers have been released (check them out below). And a handful of photos from the film have begun to trickle out, also.
“What’s in the box?”
“Pain.” pic.twitter.com/m5gFfhrbuL— DUNE (@dunemovie) August 10, 2021
“Dreams make good stories. But everything important happens when we’re awake. Because that’s when we make things happen.” pic.twitter.com/IzM20SdWW8
— DUNE (@dunemovie) August 11, 2021
It’s a blockbuster in two parts
Anyone who’s read Dune will know that it’s quite the hefty tome.
It’s for this reason that the novel has been split into two films. Dune Part One will be released later in 2021 and will cover roughly the first half of the book.
The second movie has not officially been greenlit yet and will depend on the success of this first. So if you want to see a second Dune make sure you go see this first one in cinemas.
The excitement doesn’t stop there because Legendary Television is also working on a prequel TV series titled Dune: Sisterhood. The series will follow the mysterious order of women known as the Bene Gesserit in the years leading up to Dune.
Who’s in the cast?
The A-list cast of Dune is almost as long as the book itself, so prepare yourself.
In the role of the hero with the excellent sci-fi name (Paul) is Timothée Chalamet. Joining him is the all-star cast including Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Jason Momoa Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, Stephen Mckinley Henderson, Chang Chen, David Dastmalchian, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, and Javier Bardem.
I’m not sure the Academy has enough Oscars to go around for that lot.
Oh, wait, one more. In the director’s chair is the visionary Denis Villeneuve, who has brought us epic sci-fi’s like Arrival and Blade Runner 2049.
What are the reviews saying?
In positive news, some markets have already been able to see Dune and reviews have been largely positive.
Our U.S. team called it “the sci-fi epic you’ve been waiting for” and it currently holds a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Here are some other (spoiler-free) reactions to the movie.
I know you’re used to people raving about a movie on social media after it premieres. But trust me when I say Denis Villeneuve’s #Dune is a masterpiece not just of science-fiction but of cinema. Haven’t felt transported like that in a movie theater in a long time. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/VvJ5xg8zlb
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) September 3, 2021
I have experienced #Dune. It’s a once-in-a-generation film, akin to when Lord of the Rings hit the big screen 20 years ago. When it ended I was ready for more
— Aaron Couch (@AaronCouch) September 3, 2021
Dune: Release Date
Like many films over the past year, the release date for Dune has been pushed back a number of times.
Unfortunately, it will be an even longer wait for Aussies with COVID lockdowns causing cinemas to stay closed. To ensure as many people as possible can see Dune in cinemas, the film has been given a theatrical release date of December 2, 2021, in Australia only.
We’ll update this post with more information about the Dune movie as we get closer to its release.
This article has been updated since its original publish date.