Dune, a new adaptation of the literary classic written by Frank Herbert, finally unveils its first images! Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the film is still expected to hit theaters on December 23.
Warner Bros. France After having brilliantly reinvented the thriller by directing Prisoners and Sicario, Denis Villeneuve set out to explore science fiction with First Contact then Blade Runner 2049. The Canadian filmmaker was not afraid to tackle following the monument staged by Ridley Scott in 1982, delivering a second opus worthy of its illustrious elder.
After this success, Villeneuve decided to raise the level even higher by adapting Dune, the cult novel by Frank Herbert. With this feature film, the director will try to make us forget the kitsch version of David Lynch (1984). If the creator of Twin Peaks had the merit of completing his adaptation, this was not the case with Alejandro Jodorowsky, who tried in vain to deliver his own version, breaking his teeth on multiple obstacles. The documentary Jodorowsky's Dune, covering the behind the scenes of the production, is also a must-see if you want to know more.
Dune is set in the 10190s. The universe is managed by great aristocratic families, the houses of Landsraad. They are united under the aegis of Emperor Shaddam IV. The story takes place on the planet Arrakis, entirely desert. The latter is better known under the name of Dune. It is at the center of all attentions and desires because there is the Spice. It is a kind of drug that has the power to prolong life and strengthen immune defenses.
It also enables space travel by inducing a form of foreknowledge without which rapid interstellar navigation is impossible. At the start of the plot, Duke Leto Atréides is appointed governor of Arrakis. He therefore comes to live there with his wife Jessica and his son Paul. ATfter being betrayed by Emperor Shaddam IV, Paul Atreides will avenge his family and reclaim the planet Dune, in order to regain control of the Spice.
After Kyle MacLachlan at Lynch, it's Timothée Chalamet who takes over the role of Paul Atréides. Zendaya plays Chani. The two actors are surrounded by Rebecca ferguson (Jessica Atreides), Josh brolin (Gurney Halleck), Oscar isaac (Leto Atreides), Jason momoa (Duncan Idaho), Javier bardem (Stilgar), Dave Bautista (Glossu Rabban), Stellan Skarsgard (Vladimir Harkonnen) and Charlotte rampling (Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam).
Deemed unsuitable, Dune was a mountain to climb for Denis Villeneuve, who also wants to take a big break before tackling the second part. The wildly rich universe created by Frank Herbert requires two feature films to fully understand it, according to the Quebecer: "The world of Dune is too complex. It's a universe that takes all its power in the details." With his radical vision and his simple and refined aestheticism, would Villeneuve have found the recipe for a successful adaptation of the famous literary cycle? Answer on December 23 at the cinema.
