Frank Herbert‘s “Dune” is a masterpiece that has made invaluable contributions to the world of science fiction. Its vast universe, complex plot, and impressive characters have made it a vital piece of literature and cinema that has been read and watched for several generations. When Denis Villeneuve stepped into the film world of “Dune”, he presented audiences with a new approach that not only brought Herbert’s original story to life but also presented it with a new cinematic vision.
Recently, Villeneuve has clarified why “Dune: Messiah“, which is based on Herbert’s book of the same name, will not be part of the film franchise trilogy as planned. This is an important topic, to understand which we need to know his thinking and approach.
Dune and Dune: Part Two: A Diptych
Villeneuve clarified his approach by saying that “Dune” and “Dune: Part Two” are a “diptych” in his vision. This means that these two films together are part of a complete adaptation of the first book. It was a vision in which a large and complex narrative was divided into two parts in order to present it with completeness and depth.
Villeneuve said, “The thing is, first of all, people must understand for me, this was a diptych, it was two films, two films that would be adaptations of the first book.” Here he made it clear that the whole journey and experience of “Dune” is presented as a whole through these two films. After that, there is no justification to continue the story because it is a complete narrative.
A new approach for “Dune: Messiah”
When Villeneuve began working on “Dune: Messiah”, he felt it needed to be given a new identity. “Dune: Messiah” originally depicts the story twelve years after the events of “Dune” and concludes the journey of the Atreides. However, Villeneuve believes that this film should be presented with a different cinematic philosophy.
He said, “I really want – if I go back there – to do something that feels different and has its own identity.” This means that they want to see “Dune: Messiah” as an independent project with a new cinematic vision and style that is completely different from the first two films.
The importance and limitations of the trilogy
Villeneuve’s decision points out that in the film industry sometimes there is a need to take different approaches from a story and presentation perspective. The three trilogy films often share a similar cinematic language and approach. According to Villeneuve, adopting a new vision for “Dune: Messiah” will make the film stand out as a special and independent work, not just part of a trilogy.
From Villeneuve’s point of view, “Dune” is a unique cinematic experience and “Dune: Messiah” should be presented as a new experience. This approach will not only provide the audience with a new story but will also give a new dimension to the cinematic art and art of the film.
Dune: Messiah – Denis Villeneuve’s most risky and challenging move
Denis Villeneuve, whose films are generally known for their visual grandeur and complex storytelling, is at a crucial juncture in his career. Dune: Messiah will be the third film in his Dune series and it presents a significant challenge. After the success of Dune and Dune: Part Two, it is easy to say that Villeneuve has a huge vision and audience expectations. But could Dune: Messiah prove to be Villeneuve’s riskiest film?
Villeneuve’s bold move
Villeneuve’s preparation for Dune: Messiah has given a new direction to his directing career. The successes of Dune and Dune: Part Two have impressed audiences and received critical acclaim. These films brought renowned author Frank Herbert’s science-fiction creations to the screen spectacularly. Now, with ‘Dune: Messiah’, Villeneuve will face a new challenge: bringing a complex and controversial story to life on screen.
The plot of ‘Dune: Messiah’ will take viewers on a new and relatively challenging journey. The film’s main protagonist, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) emerges as the Lisan al Gab (True Religious Leader) at the end of the first novel. He begins a new era by defeating his enemies and marrying Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh). This new era begins in the form of a holy war (jihad) that could prove to shake the entire universe.
Story Complexity and Time Jump
Villeneuve’s challenge is not limited to just bringing the elements of the narrative to the screen. ‘Dune: Messiah’ has a significant time jump in the story—the party begins twelve years after a key event. This time jump presents a challenge for the audience to understand and accept a new world. It will be interesting to see whether Villeneuve will be able to present this jump smoothly and clearly to the audience.
Another important element of the film’s narrative is Paul’s transformation into Lisan al Gaib. This transformation does not look like an ideal hero, but it reflects a controversial and complex situation. Paul’s role and the decisions he makes can shock the audience, as these decisions take him on a path that not only challenges his own identity but also affects the future of the Emperor.
A confluence of traditional vs new genres
‘Dune: Messiah’ can also present a new experiment in Villeneuve’s direction. He has already shown the audience a new direction and approach. ‘Dune’ and ‘Dune: Part Two’ have surprised the audience by taking them to a new world outside the traditional boundaries of science-fiction. Now, with ‘Dune: Messiah’, Villeneuve will have to make this traditional story relevant and compelling for modern audiences.
Dune: Prophecy TV Spinoff and Future Direction
The ‘Dune’ franchise is not just limited to films. A new spinoff series ‘Dune: Prophecy’ is also coming on HBO, which will be based on the book ‘Sisterhood of Dune’ by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. This series will expand the world of the franchise even further and introduce new audiences to this amazing world.
Villeneuve’s ‘Dune: Messiah’ will take the audience on a journey that will not only challenge their imaginations but also raise their expectations. Through this film, Villeneuve will take his directorial skills to a new height, and it will be exciting to see how this film takes his success story forward.
With ‘Dune: Messiah’, we can once again enjoy Villeneuve’s art and see how he brings this complex and challenging story to the screen. This film is certainly a bold and risky move, but it is set to take the audience on a new and unforgettable journey.
Source: Vanity Fair
