Denis Villeneuve has already expressed interest in helming a third movie to continue the story of Paul Atreides in the Dune franchise, and he revealed one condition that will make him do so. With Dune: Part Two already rolling in cinemas, fans were treated to a spectacular show based on the reviews and general reaction of the public.
The anticipation for the third film is quite high, but it remains to be seen how the director will forge the path towards the film’s conclusion. Frank Herbert’s novel is too complicated and too “un-adaptable” to bring to the screen, even with Villeneuve’s version.
Denis Villeneuve On His Plans To Helm Dune Messiah
In his interview with Empire Magazine, Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve revealed a major condition of his in order for him to continue helming Dune 3.
“If we go back, it needs to be real, it needs to be relevant. If ever I do Dune Messiah, [it’s] because it’s going to be better than Part Two. Otherwise, I don’t do it.”
It’s always a challenge to outdo a previous accomplishment, especially when it sets the bar too high. The director felt that the sequel was much better than Part One. “There’s something more alive in it,” he quipped.
He remarked how the characters had strong ties to one another, and he was able to reach an intensity and quality of emotions that he was not able to do in the first movie. “I’m not saying the film is perfect, but I’m much more happy with Part Two than I was with Part One,” he confessed.
With such high expectations, will Villeneuve be able to do what the previous filmmakers failed to do when they attempted to bring the Dune story to the big screen? It is almost impossible to film a definitive interpretation that encompasses and covers everything in the book.
The hype around Dune is colossal, but many fans also argue that it is not that great of a story. Just because the narrative is complex does not mean it is good. Obviously, the world-building is insane, but some readers complain about how average the characters are and what a slog of a book it was to read.
Why Is Dune Difficult To Adapt To The Screen?
An article from Time Magazine explained why Dune is “unfilmable.” Indeed, other works of literature are more un-adaptable to the screens, but this one is a massive world that cannot be contained in just a trilogy.
“The major stumbling block for everyone who has tried hasn’t been a matter of how to bring it to the screen, but how much of its almost 500 pages (not including the appendixes) they can and should include.”
Basically, Dune follows the story of Paul Atreides on his rise to power as a messianic leader on the arid desert planet Arrakis. Villeneuve’s plan to make a real and relevant Dune Messiah will be a huge undertaking for him.
Like what he pledged, he must make it grander than the sequel, or it will just sink under the sand together with the rest of the flopped Dune installments.
Dune: Part Two is now showing in theaters worldwide.
