The film industry is no stranger to massive budgets. Blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame and Jurassic World have made it abundantly clear that spending hundreds of millions of dollars on a single movie is often regarded as the norm. Nevertheless, Denis Villeneuve’s latest flick, Dune 2, is shaking things up by proving that it’s possible to create masterpieces with a massive budget (on a $190 m budget).
The film, despite having strong female characters, has established itself as a box office winner. Contrary to popular belief, that the importance of female characters leads to the downfall of a movie (for example, The Marvels and Secret Invasion), Dune 2 has proved itself to be an engaging cinematic masterpiece.
Villeneuve thought that discipline needed to be as “economic as possible, specifically with dialogue”, so he attempted to find that “equilibrium onscreen”. With stunning visuals, a gripping storyline, and top-notch performances from the cast, the director has succeeded in creating a world that draws viewers in and immerses them in a universe unlike anything they’ve ever seen before.
Sorry Marvel, Dune 2 Just Showed Us How It’s Done
Denis Villeneuve, 56, along with his co-screenwriter Jon Spaihts, has created a visually stunning and emotionally impactful film by focusing on storytelling, character development, and epic world-building. With a quick glance or gesture, or even down to the smallest detail, simplified verbal concepts can be understood. Villeneuve explained to Den of Geek:
“It’s all about the character’s arc and the emotional impact of the film. Discipline is required to be as economic as possible, specifically with dialogue. To always go the more direct way of doing things and trying to simplify. There’s an equilibrium when you’re trying to find a purity. The more simple you are, the more complex it becomes. It creates depth. When the surface is too dense, then you cannot go deeper. I tried to find that equilibrium onscreen. It took us months to write this part.”
Dune 2, despite having a male lead, ultimately revolves around some very prominent female characters. Marvel has often come under fire for their lackluster attempts at producing female-led films, blaming their lack of success on the supposed fans’ lack of enthusiasm for these types of projects. This actually aligns sharply with the current Hollywood trend, which sees high-budget superhero movies with female leads becoming box office disasters.
For instance, despite having a $274.8 million gross production budget, The Marvel performed poorly at the box office, earning $206 million worldwide, making it the lowest-grossing film in the MCU. In addition, the Secret Invasion series received mixed reviews from critics despite a $212 million budget due to issues with the writing, pacing, and visual effects, particularly in the finale.
The Power of Femininity: Denis Villeneuve’s Perspective in Dune 2
If you thought Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two was all about sandworms and spice, think again. The visionary director himself claimed that women are “the epicenter” of his Dune universe. And no, it’s not just because he’s trying to score points with the women in his latest flick.
In a recent Den of Geek interview, Villeneuve revealed that he sees women as the driving force behind his epic sci-fi saga. These choices ultimately led the director back to the central concept that he always knew would set his Dune adaptation apart from all other adaptations—including the book.
“I always have been, since I was born as a filmmaker, concerned, inspired, and sensitive about the female condition and women’s relationship with power.”
And it is easy to understand why. The women of Dune, ranging from Chani (Zendaya) to Lady Jessica are anything but helpless. They are strong, intelligent, and unapologetic figures. And there is no other way Villeneuve would have it.
“Why? Because I had been raised in the ‘60s and ‘70s in a feminist environment, which is something that I love. So what is specific about the way I approached Dune? I would say it’s probably women. That’s the first thing I said to Eric Roth, who started to do the adaptation at the beginning. He asked me to summarize in a word what I wanted to do, and I said, ‘Women!’”
And that is it! Villeneuve is not afraid to shake things up in the Dune universe. And if it means giving women the attention they deserve, more power to him. After all, as Beyoncé once stated, who Run the World (Girls) and in Villeneuve’s Dune, they do it with style.
Watch Dune 2 in cinemas now!
