Thursday, July 22, 2021

CANADIAN DIRECTOR

‘Dune’ trailer brings the hype for Denis Villeneuve’s long-awaited sci-fi epic


HOPE IT'S BETTER THAN ALL THE PREVIOUS DUNE'S
AND HIS BOTCHED REMAKE OF BLADERUNNER

By Michael Balderston 

“Dune” features an all-star cast including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac and, yes, the sand worms.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Dune, the long-awaited sci-fi movie from director Denis Villeneuve, is not technically a summer blockbuster, but the newly released trailer may be talked and dissected as much as one would be. Such is the case when you’re adapting a classic science fiction novel, have an A-list cast with stars like Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Oscar Isaac, and you have giant sand worms (who again make a quick appearance in the trailer after they set the internet ablaze with the first trailer).

Frank Herbert’s Dune is a much lauded entry into the sci-fi genre that hasn’t had the best luck in film thus far — David Lynch’s adaptation was a box-office failure, while another attempt Alejandro Jodorowsky never even came to fruition, though it led to a great documentary in Jodorowsky’s Dune.

Villeneuve, the director Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, is the latest filmmaker to try and bring the epic story to the big screen. That story follows the Atreides family, who rule over a planet and are tasked with protecting its valuable spice resources. However, warring factions battle for its control.

Villeneuve has certainly spared no expense in bringing the story to life, as evident by this new, big and exciting trailer for Dune.

In addition to Chalamet, Zendaya and Isaac, Dune stars Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista, Javier Bardem, Charlotte Rampling, Stellan Skarsgaard, Stephen McKinlley Henderson and a host of others.

Originally slated for 2020, like many big budget films, Dune was pushed from its original timeline and now is slated for release on Oct. 22, where it will be playing both in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming service for a month at no extra cost, as all Warner Bros. 2021 movies are doing.

HBO Max has been reaping the benefits of this arrangement, as the HBO/HBO Max total subscriber numbers have recently jumped up to 47 million according to the latest reports. The launch of an ad-supported version at a discounted price of $9.99 has also helped, though should be noted that the new Warner Bros. movies are not available on the ad-supported plan.

‘Dune’ Trailer: Timothée Chalamet Fights for His Life Against Armies and Sandworms

By Jennifer Yuma
VARIETY
Warner Bros.


Warner Bros. has released the second trailer for Denis Villeneuve’s epic “Dune” remake, adapted from Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel of the same name starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.

Along with Chalamet and Zendaya, “Dune” boasts a star-studded cast including Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Sharon Duncan Brewster, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Chang Chen, David Dastmalchian, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa and Javier Bardem. Executive producers include Joshua Grode, John Harrison, Brian Herbert, Kim Herbert, Tanya Lapointe and Byron Merritt.

For those unfamiliar with the epic world of “Dune,” Variety has explained everything you need to know about the clashing houses, galactic spice and giant sandworms.

“Dune’s” first trailer already teased fans by showing Paul Atreides (Chalamet) and Chani (Zendaya) sharing an intimate moment as their characters get ready to fight against an impending crusade. The film’s stunning visuals also stood out in the first trailer, with otherworldly landscapes, fiery explosions and massive sandworms taking center stage. In addition, the clip features Isaac as the Duke of House Atreides, as well as Skarsgård and Bautista as the primary and secondary antagonists in House Harkonnen, the nemesis house of Chalamet’s Atreide.

The science fiction film explores the physical and mental tests that Chalamet and his house have to endure in order to defy extermination and ensure the future of both his family and people.

“Dune” is set to premiere worldwide at the Venice Film Festival Sept. 3, though it is not in competition at the festival. The Toronto International Film Festival will also hold a special presentation of the film. “Dune” will be released in theaters via Warner Bros. Oct. 1 and on HBO Max Oct. 22
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