Dune is possibly the greatest sci-fi novel of all time. Frank Herbert’s novel is an immensely influential work – a desert planet? Do you see where Star Wars might have drawn from? – that has seen a number of adaptations over the years. Now, we’ll be getting a new version of this classic story brought to the big screen. And the person at the helm of this ship is the best possible choice.
Denis Villeneuve has been tapped to direct this new version of Dune. Villeneuve is one of the best directors currently working. His films Enemy and Sicario are abrasive and beautiful, but it’s Arrival that has shot his star into the stratosphere. Add to that his directing duty on the upcoming Blade Runner 2049 – which looks gorgeous – and he’s possibly the most beloved director for fans at this moment.
Dune‘s Messiah
Villeneuve is so perfect for the job that it hurts. He has a wonderful sense of scale which is crucial to bringing the enormous world of Dune to life. But, he also understands that these giant worlds must be populated by strong and engaging characters. He’s shown incredible talent at giving audiences compelling and complex heroes and villains. Prisoners is a master class in character work and Arrival proves that he can do big sci-fi concepts that don’t overshadow the humans at the center of the story.
As of now, there is no set release date for Dune. This is one we will be watching very, very closely. Personally, Dune is a story that is near and dear to my heart. It was the novel that my father insisted that I read because it was one of his favorite novels. After my father passed, I re-read the book and found it to be one of my favorite stories ever. Here’s hoping that Villeneuve can recapture that magic.
