With the phenomenal response to Denis Villeneuve’s film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction epic, Dune 2, viewers have been desperately awaiting the next entry in the franchise. Nonetheless, recent hints from the Canadian filmmaker himself that he may not return to the director’s chair following the third flick have sparked speculation about who might take over the reins.
Not surprisingly, one name that has been popping up in our minds is none other than legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg. What is more exciting is that the Jurassic Park director has even heaped praise on the critically acclaimed Dune 2, declaring it “one of the most brilliant science fiction films” he has ever seen.
While some may regard Spielberg as an unusual choice for a project as large and complex as Dune, his experience with otherworldly creatures and fantastical elements in films such as Jurassic Park and ET make him the ideal candidate to breathe new life into the futuristic world of Arrakis. Fits perfectly!
The Challenge Ahead for Dune: Is the Next Book Not That Great?
In Dune: Part Two, there are a lot of incredibly bizarre visuals, as you may have noticed if you watched the second installment.
Well, readers who have enjoyed Frank Herbert’s Dune saga agree that the first book is an amazing hero’s journey taking place on several planets and features strong characters, exciting action sequences, and well-defined story and character arcs. Despite the claims that Dune could never be adapted for the big screen, the 1965 novel has always contained the essential elements for a great film.
But what about Herbert’s other books on Dune? So, before we get started, let us warn you that we are going to be into serious spoiler territory for Dune: Messiah and beyond. Both fans and critics of the later books would mostly agree that the saga never quite reaches the dramatic heights of the first book.
Given the conclusion of Dune: Part Two, it was inevitable that the third Dune flick would be based on the second book in the series. Yes, it’s Dune: Messiah, which, in case you don’t know, introduces the character who will evolve into a sandworm—this human / worm / extraterrestrial creature is actually Paul’s son, Leto II.
As the Dune series delves more deeply into the intricacies of its universe, Paul’s son eventually transforms into a sandworm, and even stranger events loom on the horizon. Per THR, even Denis Villeneuve himself said that other books are getting more and more “esoteric”.
But for a considerable amount of time, he has expressed his desire to produce a third Dune film. At the press conference for Dune: Part Two, he also expressed his confidence that “Part Two” will outperform “Part One”, suggesting that Part Three would follow suit.
We can also deny that there are a great deal of obstacles to the 1969 science fiction novel Dune Messiah, however. Having said that, is the director indicating a disinterest in the series? Well, that is where Steven Spielberg excels, given his capability to helm visually arresting and profoundly moving scenes that could breathe new life into the franchise.
How does Steven Spielberg’s Cinematic Style Align with Dune’s Future?
Denis Villeneuve’s epic, a favorite among reviewers and viewers alike, has made over $500 million at the global box office and shows no signs of slowing down (see Box Office Mozo). In response to a question about a potential third Dune, the director recently told Empire magazine, “I did both movies back-to-back, which makes absolute sense for me”.
And now it seems Steven Spielberg appears to have become a great admirer of Villeneuve’s Dune 2. In the recent episode of The Director’s Cut – A DGA Podcast, the Oscar winner joined the chorus of reviewers and fans applauding the follow-up. He even compared Villeneuve to all-time greats like Stanley Kubrick, George Lucas, and James Cameron, going so far as to tell him,
“You have made one of the most brilliant science-fiction films I have ever seen”.
And thus, with regard to Dune, the much-awaited film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi book, it is evident that Spielberg’s approach is a wonderful fit for the scope and intricacy of this epic story. With iconic films such as Jaws, ET, and Empire of the Sun under his belt, he has proven time and time again that he has a knack for creating otherworldly beings that draw viewers in and make a lingering impression.
With Paul’s son possibly turning into a sandworm and more surprising turns to come, the Dune books will probably travel deeper into the weird and bizarre world of Arrakis. And it is obvious that Spielberg’s distinct vision and inventiveness would be a perfect fit for the franchise.
With The Post director’s skills and knowledge, there’s absolutely no doubt that the future of Dune is in safe hands.
While Dune is available for streaming on Hulu, Dune: Part Two is currently showing in theaters.