One of the movies we’ve most been looking forward to watching when movie theaters reopen is a new adaptation of Dune, starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya. From director Denis Villeneuve the movie is based on the 1965 Frank Herbert novel of the same name. One of the best-selling sci-fi stories ever, the book laid the groundwork for stories like Star Wars and Game of Thrones.
Now, it appears the film will be available to watch both in theaters and on HBO Max on October 1, 2021, Variety reports. It was originally scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2020. Ahead, everything we know about the remake, including a look at its all-star cast and a new trailer.
Who are the characters?
Timothée Chalamet stars as young antihero Paul Atreides. Oscar Isaac plays Paul’s father, Duke Leto Atreides. Rebecca Ferguson plays his mother, Lady Jessica. Actor Zendaya plays Paul’s love interest, a mysterious woman with glowing blue eyes named Chani. The two warriors Gurney Halleck and Duncan Idaho who end up training Paul in combat are played by Josh Brolin and Jason Momoa.
Stilgar, the leader of indigenous people called Fremen is played by Javier Bardem. Stellan Skarsgard plays Baron Vladimir — the leader of House Harkonnen from Arrakis that battles with the Atreides family.
Charlotte Rampling plays the reverend mother of an order of women called the Bene Gesserit who can read and control minds. Paul’s own mother Jessica is also part of the Bene Gesserit.
Sharon Duncan-Brewster plays an ecologist and an independent power broker Dr. Liet Kynes who tries to keep the peace
What’s it about?.
A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence-a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential-only those who can conquer their fear will survive. Written by Warner Bros.
When will Dune be released?
Dune originally was scheduled to debut in theaters on Dec. 18, 2020, but coronavirus concerns from the studio caused them to push the new release date to Oct. 1, 2021
Differences from the 1984 version
Director David Lynch’s 1984 film, which starred Kyle MacLachlan as Paul Atreides, may have eventually attained cult status, but when it was released it was a box office and critical flop. The new Dune isn’t a remake of Lynch’s revision but something totally different, with a closer connection to the book.
How is the book different from the movie?
Dune was published in 1965 in two parts for Analogue magazine – it went on to win two book awards and is considered one of the best sci-fi novels of all time. The 2020 film adaptation won’t cover all of the book, instead just the first half that was originally published as part one. A sequel to this film is part of the plan, though this hasn’t been given a release date yet nor has it been fully confirmed
Should it go ahead, the sequel will take readers up to the end of the book’s plot details in the second part. Just how similar this film will be to the first part of the book remains to be seen.
David Lynch adapted the book into a film in 1984, and though he honored much of the book’s plot, he made significant changes too.