Tag: Dune Part Two

Posted on in Film News, News

Director Denis Villeneuve Shares Update On Status Of ‘Dune Messiah’ Adaptation: “There Are Words On Paper”

Recently, it was announced by Warner Bros. that they would be moving the release of their sci-fi fantasy film “Dune: Part Two” from November 3, 2023 to March 15, 2024. The move stemmed from the studio being upset they wouldn’t be able to get the film’s popular/young cast to help promote the film ahead of release because the actors’ strike has prevented members from doing press/promotion for struck studio work. A key element of the disruptive nature of strikes and how actors could be highlighting how important their contributions are beyond being in front of the camera. Pushing the film into 2024 is an obvious tactic by the studio to a new date when they assumingly believe the strikes could be resolved.

That hasn’t stopped the early promotional campaign for the film such as a new issue of Empire Magazine featuring an interview with co-writer/director Denis Villeneuve and the filmmaker gave a brief update on the status of their third film in a “Dune” trilogy with the adaptation of Frank Herbert‘s second novel, “Dune Messiah.” Something that the director has been talking about making for a while now and seems like there has been some writing taking place.

“If I succeed in making a trilogy, that would be the dream,” the filmmaker told Empire. “’Dune Messiah’ was written in reaction to the fact that people perceived Paul Atreides as a hero,” Villeneuve explains. “Which is not what [Frank Herbert] wanted to do. My adaptation [of Dune] is closer to his idea that it’s actually a warning.”

“I will say, there are words on paper,” Villeneuve said of the status of the third film referred to as “Dune: Part Three.”

There had been previous indications that franchise screenwriter Jon Spaihts (“Prometheus”) had already tossed around ideas, but it’s starting to sound like they might actually be developing an early outline/draft. This wouldn’t be that shocking given Villeneuve has been talking about making his “Dune” trilogy for a while now. The speediness of the development would likely hinge on the material already existing in a book that the public is very much aware of and that fits nicely alongside the last two films. It would also explain why Villeneuve is talking about stepping away from the director’s chair once he completes the trilogy, three films would allow him to accomplish his adaptation without having to wade into the waters of the more wacky elements of the subsequent sequels that got increasingly weirder.

SOURCE: EMPIRE

Posted on in Film News, News

Denis Villeneuve’s Highly Anticipated ‘Dune: Part Two’ Officially Delayed To March 2024

There had been some rumblings back in July that Warner Bros., in the wake of the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes, was strongly considering a delay for the release of “Dune: Part Two.” The reasoning was said to be due to the studio not being able to capitalize on the young/popular cast members promoting the film and participating in various press interviews to boost audience numbers leading up to the theatrical release. As actors are being asked not to promote projects during the strikes on struck projects. In the hopes for a large financial jump at the global box office from the last film that was directly impacted by COVID.

Well, it looks like that is indeed the case as Warner Bros. has officially bumped the release date for “Dune 2” from November 3 to all the way into 2024 with a new March 15 date. We’ll keep our fingers crossed there won’t be another delay and this one sticks.

It is also assumed Warners will move their DC Comics pic “Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom” (a December movie that is without a trailer) into 2024, but we’re still waiting on official confirmation on that front and the studio seems to be still mulling over that decision despite failing to even start a marketing campaign.

Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has previously teased his desire to adapt the second Frank Herbert novel, “Dune Messiah,” to round out a “Dune” trilogy. There is also a prequel/spinoff series at Max, “Dune: The Sisterhood,” currently shooting after multiple creative/production hiccups that will focus on the Harkonnen Sisters establishing the Bene Gesserit and is set 10,000 years before the events of the movies.

“Dune: Part Two” will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath 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 big-screen epic continues the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed bestseller Dune with returning and new stars, including Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (“Wonka,” “Call Me by Your Name”), Zendaya (“Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “Malcolm & Marie,” “Euphoria”), Rebecca Ferguson (“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning”), Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (“Avengers: End Game,” “Milk”), Oscar nominee Austin Butler (“Elvis,” “Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood”), Oscar nominee Florence Pugh (“Black Widow,” “Little Women”), Dave Bautista (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “Thor: Love and Thunder”), Oscar winner Christopher Walken (“The Deer Hunter,” “Hairspray”), Stephen McKinley Henderson (“Fences,” “Lady Bird”), Léa Seydoux (the “James Bond” franchise and “Crimes of the Future”), with Stellan Skarsgård (the “Mamma Mia!” films, “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), with Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (“45 Years,” “Assassin’s Creed”), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men,” “Being the Ricardos”).

SOURCE: WARNER BROS.

Posted on in Film News, News

WB Reportedly Might Delay Releases Of ‘Dune 2,’ ‘The Color Purple’ & ‘Aquaman 2’ To Due To Strike

While there have been ups and downs during the wave of studio blockbusters this summer. The fall and winter film season is a little less crowded, however, we might not have as many big films to look forward to later this year, specifically from Warner Bros. Pictures.

Variety is now claiming that Warners is potentially considering moving their three big 2023 movies “Dune Part Two,” the musical remake of “The Color Purple,” and their DC Comics film “Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom” into 2024. Although, they stop short from sharing details of when those projects could be added to the 2024 slate and suggest it’s also possible they could stick to their intended dates as well. Respectively those previously etched-out dates were November 3, December 20, and December 25.

Citing the ongoing labor strike in Hollywood as the main cause of the potential disruption. Given that the actors’ union is requiring members not to do promotion for upcoming films after the strike. Many studios rushed to get junkets and interviewers completed ahead of the SAG-AFTRA strike to make sure promos were recorded and could be pushed-out at a later date. Actors aren’t looking to cross picket lines to attend red carpets or do interviews which would make things increasingly difficult for studios (strikes are meant to be disruptive for a reason) to promote their films in the manner they’re used to.

Also, it might be worth mentioning that “Dune 2” boasts a massively popular young cast such as Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Austin Butler who would all be key to getting younger audiences to support the expensive sci-fi fantasy sequel.

This news comes after reports that the James Wan sequel to the billion-dollar hit has undergone three rounds of reshoots. If you consider the superhero pic’s budget already started out in the $200 million-plus range, those reshoots are expected to have been pricey. I think it was obvious that “Aquaman 2” wasn’t going to be making that December 20 release given the studio still hasn’t even released a teaser trailer for the sequel.

SOURCE: VARIETY