Denis Villeneuve is currently riding high with the success of Dune 2. The sequel to his 2021 magnum opus Dune is being hailed as bigger, better, and more emotionally intense by audiences and critics across the world. The film once again showcased the Canadian director’s unique visual and technical prowess which has been a trademark of his films. Expectedly, making massive theatrical movies of this nature warrants an unforgettable big screen experience.
Like Christopher Nolan, the huge effort that Villeneuve has put into films like the Dune series, has made audiences throng to the theaters. Being a loyal supporter of cinema, the Blade Runner 2049 filmmaker was extremely vocal about his displeasure regarding Warner Brothers’ decision to stream Dune on HBO Max on the same day as the theatrical release, owing to the Covid pandemic.
Denis Villeneuve Wrote A Scathing Letter To Warner Brothers Before Dune’s Release
When Denis Villeneuve’s Dune released in October 2021, the pandemic was still rampant across the world. While theaters had reopened, there was still a lot of fear about big public gatherings owing to its vast spread. Taking this into account, many films which released in the cinemas were also simultaneously sent to streaming platforms in an effort to garner more money and audience.
This move though, did not sit well with Villeneuve. The director minced no words in his brutal letter to Warner Brothers (via Variety) on hearing that the production giant closed a deal with HBO Max to stream Dune on the platform on the same day as its theatrical release.
Speaking of this action as being a shameless cash grabbing opportunity, the Arrival filmmaker rued the disrespect given to films and the tireless efforts that deserved to be appreciated on a big screen. He also expressed his shock at a production house like Warner Brothers falling into the trap of the telecom giant AT&T.
“There is absolutely no love for cinema, nor for the audience here. It is all about the survival of a telecom mammoth, one that is currently bearing an astronomical debt of more than $150 billion. Warner Bros.’ sudden reversal from being a legacy home for filmmakers to the new era of complete disregard draws a clear line for me. Filmmaking is a collaboration, reliant on the mutual trust of team work and Warner Bros. has declared they are no longer on the same team.”
Villeneuve also questioned the ethics of HBO Max in using prominent images from the film as an advertising gimmick to attract viewership. Many of the director’s concerns were also echoed by Oscar winner Christopher Nolan in an interview with NPR. Nolan concurred with his colleague’s views and believed that streaming platforms were propagating a dangerous trend.
How Denis Villeneuve Made His Dreams A Reality
It isn’t always that life grants people the opportunity to make their childhood dreams come true. Denis Villeneuve is one of the lucky ones who has fulfilled a long-standing desire. The Canadian director created waves by adapting Dune, Frank Herbert’s complex novel of politics, ecology, and philosophy in a sci-fi world.
Villeneuve who was a teenager when he first read the books, was completely enamored by the world that Herbert had created. The director revealed how he manifested a dream whereby he would be able to visually capture the glory of this narrative on screen. Speaking to Wired, the Sicario director said,
“I read it when I was 13 or 14 years old. The first Dune book is a tremendous, powerful adventure of a young boy discovering a new world. It stayed with me through the years, haunted me. So, when people were saying, ‘Well, what would be your biggest dream?’ I would say, Dune.”
Villeneuve expressed his gratitude for having been given this opportunity to visualize his favorite story of all time. With Dune 2 already staking its claim to end the year as one of the biggest blockbusters, fans of the franchise will be eager to see how the 3rd installment will pan out.
Dune can be streamed in Hulu.
Dune 2 is currently running in theaters.
