When Dune hit the theatres back in 2021, fans couldn’t believe that they had been treated to such a grand project. The movie’s ensemble, the location, meant that it was always going to reach a level that might be impossible to attain with a potential sequel. But Dune 2 has done just that. There might be mixed reviews about the sequel, but there is no denying the fact that they have done quite a job building up on the 2021 flick. And even Steven Spielberg can’t deny the same.
Steven Spielberg is in awe of Dune 2
Ever since the release of Dune 2, the praises have been flowing. Fans can’t get enough of the Timothee Chalamet starrer. And looks like they aren’t alone. In an appearance on DGA Director’s Cut podcast, Dune director Denis Villeneuve and Steven Spielberg sat down together.
In the podcast, the E.T. The Extra Terrestrial director heaped praises upon his Dune counterpart for his fabulous work. And it wasn’t solely because of the scale of the movie. What struck him about the movie was how well-rounded it was.
Steven Spielberg can’t help but praise Dennis Villeneuve for his work in Dune
Speaking about Dune 2, Spielberg said,
“This is truly a visual epic, and it’s also filled with deeply, deeply drawn characters.” (Director’s Cut podcast)
We can’t disagree with what he’s said. The characters have managed to hit home, doing justice to the characters made by Frank Herbert in the novels.
He continued,
“Yet the dialogue is very sparse when you look at it proportionately to the running time of the film. It’s such cinema.”
We know Steven, we know!
Steven Spielberg welcomes Dennis Villeneuve to an elite class
It doesn’t end there though. He said,
“The shots are so painterly, yet there’s not an angle or single setup that’s pretentious … you have made one of the most brilliant science fiction films I have ever seen.”
In addition to the entire movie, there was one scene that drew his attention especially. It was the scene where Paul can be seen surfing a sandworm. The Jurassic Park director said,
“The sandworms were like sea serpents and that scene [of Paul] surfing the sandworm is one of the greatest things I have ever seen, ever.”
As if this wasn’t big enough, he was not parsimonious in praising Dennis Villeneuve. It speaks volumes about Spielberg’s adoration that the 77-year-old director made it clear that the Arrival director belonged to the ‘pantheon of great world-building fantasy directors’.
Dennis Villeneuve must have been at the receiving end of innumerable accolades. But this one statement would be the one he’ll rate the highest.
