Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two was originally slated for an October 2023 release, but the sequel was subsequently pushed back to November of that year, and once again moved to March 2024 due to the delay brought by the actors’ and writer’s strikes.
With all of these changes in the movie’s release dates, the epic science fiction film is no longer eligible for Oscars 2024. Fans will, however, see the movie compete in next year’s awards season. Now, is this a misfortune or a blessing in disguise?
Dune: Part Two Was Supposed To Join This Year’s Oscars Awards
Dune: Part Two came in strong when it premiered early this month with reviews from fans and critics showing mostly positive reactions. In fact, its current Rotten Tomatoes standing as of this writing is certified fresh at 93%.
Apart from the movie’s sky-high ratings, it has also managed to attract the so-called Oscar buzz, which means the audience is immensely anticipating seeing Denis Villeneuve’s masterpiece dominate the Academy Awards.
Since it did not make the cut for this year’s Oscars, one can look at the unexpected delay in release as a heaven’s brilliant plan. This year’s biggest contender for the majority of the categories goes to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, with a whopping 13 nominations under its name.
Had Timothée Chalamet’s Dune sequel managed to make the cut, Oppenheimer would have to face its biggest opponent. In retrospect, the epic biopic thriller will be the one that will benefit from the former’s schedule adjustment.
As Oppenheimer has been nominated for categories including Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Costume, and Best Production Design, Dune 2 will most likely steal the momentum from Nolan’s project given how much praise the dystopian film has been receiving today.
The same scenario goes for Dune 2; had it managed to join the league of 2023 movies, it would have to compete with other impressive Oscar nominees such as Barbie, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Poor Things, to name a few.
Indeed, the very reason Dune: Part Two lost its chance to compete at the Oscars 2024 is the change in its release date due to the strike.
Dune 2 Is Highly Anticipated For 2025 Oscar Nominations
If anything, Dune 2 has every chance of bagging nominations at next year’s Academy Awards. The movie’s critical success, along with its anticipated box office success, will be enough factors for the jury’s deliberation.
As per Box Office Mojo, the sequel has already surpassed the $200 million mark and will positively increase more in the coming weeks. The film’s impact on the audience, as well as on pop culture, will become its legacy, and hopefully, will be remembered in the 2025 awarding event.
It must have been the work of fate that prevented Dune: Part Two from crossing paths with the biggest blockbusters of 2023 because it is meant to compete with every massive movie franchise of 2024.
Dune: Part Two is now showing in theaters.
