DUNE – A First Look
Portfolio: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya + cast
No, we are not talking about David Lynch’s unsuccessful 1984 adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune, which now has cult status. We are talking about a brand new version of the sci-fi epic, this time directed by Denis Villeneuve. And who better to guide this sweeping story set on an alien planet than the man who brought us Blade Runner 2049 and Arrival?
Dune follows Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), who accepts the stewardship of the dangerous planet Arrakis. Arrakis is the only source of a substance known as “the spice.” This highly sought after drug can extend human life. When things go awry, Leto’s concubine, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) plus son and heir, Paul (Timothée Chalamet), take shelter with the natives of the planet who live deep in the desert.
Dune is scheduled for theatrical release on December 18, 2020. Until then, Warner Brothers just released images of the actors in their costumes. And this movie has a stellar cast. In addition to Chalamet, Isaac and Ferguson, the film also stars Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Paul’s mentor Stellan Skarsgård, as the movie’s villain Baron Vladimir Harkonnen and Zendaya as Chani, Paul’s love interest.
From the images just released, this version looks nothing like Lynch’s richly-colored drug-fueled version. Villeneuve’s version seems more inspired by the color palette of the original Star Wars films, utilising more orange and beige tones than Lynch’s dominant blues and reds. While Lynch’s adaptation is a fan favorite, more for its absurdness and not for being a good film, this new version does justice to Herbert’s beloved work.
