Get ready to experience the desert planet of Arrakis, at the comfort of your home, as Warner Bros. has been eager about Dune: Part Two’s at-home streaming expectations. Following the box office success of the sequel, which is still running in theatres, WB CEO David Zaslav teased that Denis Villeneuve’s magnum opus would likely end up on Max in spring 2024.
Despite previously facing opposition from Denis Villeneuve, after David Zaslav released Dune on online streamers, the Warner Bros. CEO presumably appears unfazed by the disagreements. Perhaps looking for capitalizing opportunities, Zaslav gets called out by analyst Luiz Fernando on X. Fernando criticizes the CEO for trying to make money, by repeating the same mistake that previously pissed off the director.
David Zaslav Teased Dune: Part Two’s Online Streaming on Max
Following the release of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune in 2021, it took the director and his team three years to create a maximally immersive experience, with Dune: Part Two. Focusing on aesthetic quality, and following in Christopher Nolan’s footsteps, Villeneuve released the sequel in 2024, which was filmed with IMAX cameras for a better viewing experience.
Certainly so, Dune: Part Two has been hailed for its amazing cinematography and aesthetic quality, alongside its storyline and cast performance. The sequel seemingly turned into a massive box office success and is still counting the dollars with its ongoing theatre run. But meanwhile, it seems Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav is looking for other ways to milk the film’s potential and earn more from Denis Villeneuve’s movie.
Ah, WBD…#DavidZaslav’s desperation for short term money has no end, as several digital platforms overseas are already announcing #DunePartTwo to hit digital purchase next month already, currently scheduled to start sales on APR 14. pic.twitter.com/1Vj6uLvxkd
— Luiz Fernando (@Luiz_Fernando_J) March 27, 2024
Willing to capitalize more on Dune: Part Two‘s success, Zaslav therefore teased the release of the sequel on Max in spring 2024, via Forbes. Releasing exclusively on the streamer, in the coming weeks between April and May, the movie will be available to purchase and rent on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Vudu, and more. Meanwhile, according to Luiz Fernando, several digital platforms, overseas, are already announcing the sequel to hit digital purchase next month, which has been scheduled to start sales on April 14.
Denis Villeneuve Previously Objected to Dune’s Online Release
It seems although David Zaslav hasn’t revealed the exact date for the online release of Dune: Part Two on Max, other streaming platforms have already started announcing digital purchases of the film, from next month. Thus criticizing Zaslav for his alleged attempt at trying to earn more from the blockbuster, netizens point out how the CEO is repeating the same mistake that previously infuriated Denis Villeneuve.
According to reports from Variety, Denis Villeneuve previously objected to the release of Dune on the streaming platform. Previously due to the pandemic, David Zaslav released the movie simultaneously in theatres and Max. This particular decision disappointed Villeneuve and he objected by claiming that the experience of watching a film on a TV screen reduces the value of the big-screen experience.
“The way it happened, I’m still not happy. Frankly, to watch ‘Dune’ on a television, the best way I can compare it is to drive a speedboat in your bathtub. For me, it’s ridiculous. It’s a movie that’s made as a tribute for the big-screen experience.”
Despite Denis Villeneuve’s previous objection against the decision to release Dune on the streaming platform, it appears David Zaslav is seemingly repeating the same mistake. Perhaps blinded by the opportunity of making more out of Villeneuve’s masterpiece, Zaslav is unfortunately disregarding the filmmaker’s disappointment.
Dune: Part Two is running in theatres.
