While attendingNew York Comic Con,Dune: Prophecyexecutive producer Jordan Goldberg explains the extent of Denis Villeneuve’s involvement in the upcoming series. Set 10,000 years before the story of Paul Atreides, the series – developed by Diane Ademu-John and Alison Schapker – will chronicle the origins of the Bene Gesserit through the eyes of Harkonnen sisters Valya (Emily Watson) and Tula (Olivia Williams).Max’sDune: Prophecymarks the third recent installment in the franchise after Villeneuve’s two hit films.
During a recent interview withScreen Rantat NYCC, Goldberg provided some clarification regarding Villeneuve’s role in the show. According to the EP,Villeneuve has been very hands-off for the entire series, instead focusing efforts on his expansion of the film side of the franchise. Goldberg does call Villeneuve “aspirational,” however, in terms the epic scale the show’s creative team was going for. Check out Goldberg’s comment below:
“Well, Denis' got his own franchise that he’s working on right now and he’s been busy doing that and his own projects. He’s really left to us to figure out how to platform the new characters and the new worlds, which is exciting about the story that we’re telling because we are outside of Arrakis and so we get to visit new places.
“But he is aspirational in what he did there for us to achieve that kind of large scale immersive experience. We had a tremendous cast and a tremendous crew and we went all in and put it on the screen and it shows.”
Unlike withDune(2021) andDune: Part Two(2024), Villeneuve is not credited as a producer forProphecy, speaking to his lack of involvement in the show.
What Villeneuve’s Absence Means For Dune: Prophecy
The Director Has Been Key To The Franchise’s Success So Far
There’s no question thatVilleneuve has been an instrumental figure in bringing Frank Herbert’s universe to life on the big screen. He served as a writer on bothDunemovies, in addition to directing, and his passion for the material is apparent when he talks about the franchise. The reception to both films has been overwhelmingly positive, with theDune: Part Tworeviewsproving especially glowing. The films have been widely praised for their epic scope and scale, and how these grandiose elements complement a very human story.
Dune: Prophecy’s Timeline Can Set Up A Better Post-Dune 3 Future Than The Books
As a prequel set centuries before the events of Paul’s story, Dune: Prophecy can properly set up a satisfying ending to the core eight-book Dune Saga.
Dune: Prophecy, then, will be a major test regarding whether the franchise can succeed without Villeneuve’s involvement. Outside theDuneuniverse, Villeneuve has become known for his work in the sci-fi genre with movies likeArrival(2016) andBlade Runner 2049(2017), and each of these films features a unique visual style.It could be a challenge forProphecyto recapture this same epic feelthe director is now known for.
Our Take On Villeneuve’s Lack Of Involvement In Dune: Prophecy
Can The Franchise Succeed Without Villeneuve?
Villeneuve has affirmed that theannouncedDune: Part Threewill be his last installment in the franchise. If the franchise is to continue beyond this, then,it needs to deliver strong storytelling and impressive visuals without Villeneuve’s involvement. TheJohn Wickfranchise is currently struggling with this same issue, with Chad Stahelski’s films receiving widespread acclaim, whileThe Continentalspinoff show earned middling reviews andBallerinahad to undergo significant reshoots.
Sometimes, one franchise’s success is due primarily to the unique voice and talents of one filmmaker, and it’s possible that this is the case withDune.It’s also possible, however, thatDune: Prophecywill be a big hit critically and in terms of viewership, setting up a bright future for the IP. Clearly, there’s a lot riding on the show, and it will certainly be interesting to see how it fares with audiences.
Dune: Prophecy
Cast
Set in the universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune series, Dune: Prophecy, a sci-fi epic, follows the political and spiritual struggles on the desert planet of Arrakis. As factions vie for control of the prized spice melange, a prophesied hero emerges, challenging the balance of power and the fate of the galaxy.
