James Mangold has had an interesting filmography over the years venturing in various genres and not typecasting himself to a certain type of filmmaker. Films like Girl Interrupted, Walk the Line, 3:10 to Yuma, Logan, and Ford v Ferrari proved that Mangold could competently handle various genres with great relatability and emotional heft.
Mangold continued venturing into blockbuster studio filmmaking with 2023’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny which did not fare well. He is set to direct an upcoming Star Wars film and franchise producer Simon Emanuel seemingly revealed the film’s title. Ironically, the title has a striking resemblance to an important element of Dune, adding to the discourse of Star Wars being a Dune rip-off.
Possible Title of James Mangold’s Star Wars Film Is Too Similar to Dune‘s Giedi Prime
The discourse about the striking similarities between Star Wars and Dune has been going on ever since the first Star Wars film was released in 1977. Certain elements like The Imperium vs Rebel Alliance, The Stormtroopers, Princess Leia, and the Sarlacc seem to be inspired by elements of Dune like The Fremen vs The Emperor. The Sardaukar, Alia Atreides and the sandworm.
Frank Herbert himself has always believed that Star Wars has copied a lot of elements from Dune, which led to him being uncomfortable but trying “hard not to sue” (via Polygon). Now, another piece of news about the possible title of James Mangold’s upcoming Star Wars film is sure to add to the conversation regarding this matter.
As revealed by a producer of the Star Wars franchise Simon Emanuel, he referred to Mangold’s film as Jedi Prime (via Collider). Dune enthusiasts will quickly realize the similarity of this title with Giedi Prime, the homeworld of House Harkonnen. Fans pointed out this on X and made fun of the title for being too derivative and a rip-off yet again from Dune. Here are some of the reactions,
Dune: Geidi Prime
— dog (@dave_quist) May 18, 2024
Um actually the Harkonnen planet is called Giedi Prime
— sarah (@sarahwhippet_) May 17, 2024
They’re naming a Star Wars movie after the home world of DUNE’s House Harkonnen? 🤔🤣
— Thomas Shea (@TRShea) May 17, 2024
I thought we knew this already.
Also, lame title.
— completelyrandum (@c_randum) May 17, 2024
Basic ass title lol 😂
— DynJarin Downing (@JarinDg) May 17, 2024
While the similarities are uncanny, it doesn’t help that it adds to the infamous reputation of Star Wars being a cheap knock-off of Dune. Mangold is a competent filmmaker and whirl he may have fumbled with Indiana Jones, he may strike back strong with his unique take on Star Wars, which will be set thousands of years before the original trilogy.
James Mangold’s Star Wars Film Will Be A Legit Origin Story of the Franchise’s Lore
James Mangold will be one of the directors helming one of the theatrical Star Wars films following the divisive modern trilogy. Mangold’s film will be set thousands of years before the original trilogy, making it a fresh story and a proper origin story for the franchise. In an interview with Variety, the director revealed that his film will explore how various significant elements of the franchise came into existence.
Mangold stated that his film will delve deep into the origins of the force and how it came to be. The film will also answer who was the first ever Jedi who paved the way for the ones we know and love in the franchise. Mangold said,
It’s a chance to tell the entire story of its own, the birth of the force…The force has become a kind of religious legend that spans through all these movies. But where did it come from? How is it found? Who found it? Who was the first Jedi? And that’s what I’m writing right now.
For now, Mangold is busy shooting his Bob Dylan biopic The Complete Unknown led by Timothée Chalamet. It will be quite some time until Mangold will start production on his Star Wars film. For now, fans can look forward to The Acolyte premiering on Disney+ on June 4, 2024.
