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Tag: Dune

  • ‘Dune’ Spinoff Recasts and Adds New Director

    ‘Dune’ Spinoff Recasts and Adds New Director

    Dune’s second part is about to release in theaters later this year, but there is also a spinoff that seemingly was in development hell long since the first film was released in theaters. Now, it seems that Dune: The Sisterhood finally getting some momentum as they enter a second try on the project.

    The Crown’s Olivia Williams is now set to take over the role of Tula Harkonnen, which originally was going to be played by Shirley Henderson before she left the project in February. They also have added a new director Anna Foerster set to take on multiple episodes and the pilot, which she is taking over from Johan Renck.

    The story is set to further explore the galaxy introduced by Frank Herbert in his Dune book series. Dune: The Sisterhood would take place 10,000 years before Paul Atreides’ journey as we follow the Harkonnen Sisters, who would found the sect of Bene Gesserit. The story will be an adaptation of Sisterhood of Dune, which was written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

    Source: Deadline

  • CinemaCon: First Footage Description of ‘Dune: Part 2’ Finds it’s Way Online

    CinemaCon: First Footage Description of ‘Dune: Part 2’ Finds it’s Way Online

    While most eyes have been on the future presentation of DC Studios and their current releases, which still were developed under the former leadership, they had quite a bit of other projects to show off during this year’s CinemaCon. They gave visitors a look at Barbie and its unique world and it seems the first footage of the long-awaited Dune sequel has been released for attendees. Us online at least got the description of the footage that was showcased during CinemaCon.

    It seems the big focus of the footage was on Paul Atreides, played once again by Timothee Chalamet, learning to ride a giant sandworm. It makes sense given that this was the big tease at the end of the first entry and Paul’s entire storyline is wrapped around him finding his way among the locals of the planet Arrakis. They also seemingly got a first look at Florence Pugh and Austin Butler during the footage but not many details have been shared on what they might look like.

    It’s definitely interesting that this is their selling point as Chalamet made the bold statement of it being “done practically” which has become a bit of a habit to imply certain elements are done that way with the rest added afterward. It’s also become a bit of a marketing habit to make the film stand out in the pool of effects-heavy film selection. Most of what we’ll see on the screen will be effects work as there is no real giant sandworm, but it makes for a good way to sell it to audiences.

    Source: Twitter, Discussing Film, Twitter, Twitter

  • HBO Max’s ‘Dune’ Spinoff Falling Apart as Director and Star Exit

    HBO Max’s ‘Dune’ Spinoff Falling Apart as Director and Star Exit

    It’s not Dune yet but the upcoming spinoff Dune: The Sisterhood is facing quite some production troubles. It started production back in November but has gone through quite the creative shift that is definitely going to end up pricey for HBO Max. Chernobyl‘s Johan Reenck has seemingly left the project, as he was set to direct the first two episodes. Production has been put on hold but this also lead to one of its leads, Shirley Henderson, leaving the project as well.

    Henderson was set to play Tula Harkonnen, who is currently being recast. That isn’t all, as this news comes just as co-showrunner and pilot scribe Diane Ademu-John has also stepped down. Now, Alison Schapker is the sole showrunner for the project spearheaded by Legendary productions. An HBO Max spokesperson had the following to say:

    As Dune: The Sisterhood (wt) has entered a pre-scheduled hiatus, there are some creative changes being made to the production in an effort to create the best series possible and stay true to the source material. Johan Renck has completed his work on the series and a new director will be brought on; through mutual agreement, Johan is moving on to pursue other projects. Additionally, Shirley Henderson will be exiting the series and will no longer be playing Tula Harkonnen.

    It seems the showrunner change put a lot of pressure on Schapker, which led to major rewrites as the series was starting production in Budapest. It also seems the director Renck‘s more “auteur” approach wasn’t quite coming together with the vision of the series and was moving too far away from Denis Villeneuve‘s film. As of now, there’s no word if they’ll even use any of the footage he filmed or reshoot the entire thing.

    At the moment, there’s no clear indicator of if the current hiatus was planned or not. Some believe it was always meant to pause during the winter months while others hint it may have been pushed back by seven months to rework the entire series and find a new director. Henderson leaving is also unclear at the moment but it seems her schedule was one of the reasons that she had to leave.

    Source: Deadline

  • Tim Blake Nelson Cast in ‘Dune: Part Two’

    Tim Blake Nelson Cast in ‘Dune: Part Two’

    The all-star cast assembled for the Warner Bros. Entertainment and Legendary Entertainment produced Dune: Part Two has grown even more. Tim Blake Nelson has officially been announced to join the highly anticipated sequel in an undisclosed role. The star actor will be joining the likes of Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Léa Seydoux, and Christopher Walken as new additions to the franchise. These names will be joining original leads Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, and Javier Bardem. Director Denis Villeneuve will be helming the sequel feature film.

    Tim Blake Nelson most recently starred in the first episode of the Netflix anthology series Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosity. Nelson also worked with the acclaimed director on the critically acclaimed adaptation of Pinocchio from late last year, providing the voice for the Black Rabbit. Nelson is slated to make his long-awaited return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Samuel Stern, aka The Leader, for 2024’s Captain America: New World Order.

    Dune: Part 2 will complete the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic 1965 science-fiction novel of the same name, which is the first in a sprawling literary saga. No official word has been on the future of any theatrical sequels following the release of Dune: Part 2 later this year. Villeneuve has expressed interest in adapting Dune Messiah, the second novel of the series, depending on the success of this year’s film. In addition, a prequel spinoff series of Dune: The Sisterhood is currently in production for HBO Max.

    Dune: Part 2 is set to release exclusively in theaters on November 3rd of this year.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter

  • ‘Dune’ Prequel Series Adds Mark Strong, Chris Mason, and Jade Anouka

    ‘Dune’ Prequel Series Adds Mark Strong, Chris Mason, and Jade Anouka

    Director Denis Villeneuve has been quite busy on the sequel to last year’s Dune. Yet, they have many more plans for this franchise as the upcoming HBO Max series has been busy working on the prequel series Dune: The Sisterhood. It’s based on the novel Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson which takes place 10,000 years before the original novels and film. Now, the story has seemingly found its next batch of actors.

    Acting legend Mark Strong is joining the project as Emperor Javicco Corrino, who is “a man from a great line of war-time Emperors, who is called upon to govern the Imperium and manage a fragile peace.” Jade Anouka has also joined the project as Sister Theodosia, who “harbors a dangerous secret about her past.” while Chris Mason will take on the role of Keiran Atreides, “a Swordmaster to a Great House whose ambition to live up to his family name is disrupted when he forms an unexpected connection to a member of the royal family.”

    The serise already has an impressive cast that consists of Indira Varma, Travis Fimmel, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Aoife Hinds, Chloe Lea, and many more. Diane Ademu-John is working on the project as an executive producer, but passed on the showrunner duties to Alison Schapker. With the introduction of a member of the Atreides family, it’ll be interesting if they still want to set up seeds that connect the project to the original films even if 10,000 years set it apart.

    Source: Variety

  • ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’ Adds Five Cast Members

    ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’ Adds Five Cast Members

    Fear not, Dune believers, it would appear The Sisterhood is still on track to come alive at HBO. The prequel series, set 10,000 years before the events of Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 sci-fi epic, has added five new performers to its cast. Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Faoileann Cunningham, Aoife Hinds and Chloe Lea have joined the production as series regulars, alongside previously announced stars Emily Watson, Shirley Henderson, and Indira Varma.

    Based on Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson‘s novel Sisterhood of Dune, the show, titled Dune: The Sisterhood, follows the sisters of the Harkonnen family as they deal with forces that threaten the future of humankind and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit. Watson and Henderson will play the titular siblings, while Varma portrays Empress Natalya – a formidable royal who united thousands of worlds via a marriage to the Emperor Corrino. Boussnina is set to play Princess Ynez, an independent young woman dealing with the pressures of her responsibility as heir to the Golden Lion Throne. Additionally, Brune-Franklin will play Mikaela, “a strong-willed Fremen woman who serves the royal family while longing for a home planet she’s never known.”

    Cunningham, Hinds, and Lea will help fill out the members of the Sisterhood School. Sister Jen (Cunningham) is a fierce and unpredictable acolyte in training who appears to be emotionally closed off. Sister Emeline (Hinds) is a zealous acolyte descended from a long line of martyrs, who continues to be fervently religious in her training. Finally, Lila (Lea) is the youngest acolyte at the Sisterhood School who is mature well beyond her years.

    Dune: The Sisterhood is being produced by Villeneuve, Herbert and Legendary Television, alongside Jon Spaihts, Scott Z. Burns, Matthew King, John Cameron, and Cait Collins. Diane Ademu-John will serve as creator, writer, and co-showrunner, with Johan Renck directing the pilot episode. There is currently no release date.

    Source: Deadline

  • Indira Varma Joins ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’

    Indira Varma Joins ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’

    Game Of Thrones and Obi-Wan actress Indira Varma has joined the cast of Dune: The Sisterhood. The news was first revealed by Deadline with the outlet noting she’s set to portray Empress Natalya, who is described as “a formidable royal who united thousands of worlds in her marriage to Emperor Corrino.” The actress will join the previously announced Emily Watson and Shirley Henderson.

    The Sisterhood takes place 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides and focuses on the Harkonnen sisters as they “combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit.”

    Varma can next be seen in the Apple TV+ anthology series Extrapolations. She’s also set to star in next year’s Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Part One. She recently starred as Tala Durith in the Disney+ series, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Other credits to Varma’s name include the animated series The Legend of Vox Machina and the Prime Video series Carnival Row.

    Diane Ademu-John (The Haunting of Bly Manor) serves as the creator, writer, co-showrunner and executive producer for Dune: The Sisterhood. She’ll work with Alison Schapker (Lost) who also serves as co-showrunner and executive producer. Johan Renck (Chernobyl) is set to direct the pilot episode and will also serve as an executive producer. Denis Villeneuve (Dune) is also executive producing with Jon Spaihts, Scott Z. Burns, Matthew King, John Cameron, Cait Collins and author Brian Herbert.

    Source: Deadline.

  • ‘Dune 2’ to Release Two Weeks Early in 2023

    ‘Dune 2’ to Release Two Weeks Early in 2023

    On Tuesday, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that Dune: Part Two is now set to release two weeks early. The news came after Disney announced a slew of new release dates, including a new date for the delayed-Blade. Dune will now take over Blade‘s vacated date of Nov. 3, 2023, instead of Nov. 17, 2023.

    Production on Dune: Part Two kicked off back in July. The film is set to tackle the second part of the iconic novel by Frank Herberts, and it’s set to star Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha, Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam and Javier Bardem. 

    The first Dune film was a box office smash when released in 2021. Produced on a $41 million budget, Dune went on to earn $401.8 million at the worldwide box office. A sequel was quickly announced, along with a spinoff television series tentatively called Dune: The Sisterhood.

    Dune: Part Two is directed by Denis Villeneuve from a screenplay by Jon Spaihts and Villeneuve.

    Source: THR.

  • Emily Watson & Shirley Henderson Join ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’

    Emily Watson & Shirley Henderson Join ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’

    HBO Max has set Emily Watson (Chernobyl) and Shirley Henderson (Bridget Jones’s Baby) to lead its Dune series, Dune: The Sisterhood. The news was revealed by the streamer on Tuesday afternoon. Watson and Henderson will portray the formidable Harkonnen sisters, Valya Harkonnen and Tula Harkonnen, respectively. The Harkonnen sisters are part of the Sisterhood, a secret organization of women who will eventually go on to become the Bene Gesserit.

    Like the film by Denis Villeneuve, Dune: The Sisterhood is inspired by the books by Frank Herbert. The Sisterhood takes place 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides and focuses on the Harkonnen sisters as they “combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit.”

    Along with starring in Chernobyl, Watson has starred in the Little Women TV mini-series, Punch-Drunk Love, and Tim Burton‘s Corpse Bride. As for Henderson, along with starring in the Bridget Jones films, Henderson has appeared in Happy Valley, Marie Antoinette and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – she also voiced Babu Frik in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.

    Diane Ademu-John (The Haunting of Bly Manor) serves as the creator, writer, co-showrunner and executive producer on the project. She’ll work with Alison Schapker (Lost) who also serves as co-showrunner and executive producer. Johan Renck (Chernobyl) is set to direct the pilot episode and will also serve as an executive producer. Denis Villeneuve (Dune) is also executive producing with Jon Spaihts, Scott Z. Burns, Matthew King, John Cameron, Cait Collins and author Brian Herbert.

    Source: Deadline.

  • GAMESCOM: ‘Dune’ Open-World MMO Revealed

    GAMESCOM: ‘Dune’ Open-World MMO Revealed

    Dune is getting another game but this time around it’s going to be an open-world survivor MMO. At this year’s GamesCom, we got a first-look trailer at the new game. While it’s unclear just how it’ll be played and how the MMO elements will work, Dune Awakening does look quite promising and might be a great addition for fans of the franchise.

    Source: Twitter