DUNE Director Denis Villeneuve Is "Optimistic" That Warner Bros. Will Move Forward With Part 2

DUNE Director Denis Villeneuve Is "Optimistic" That Warner Bros. Will Move Forward With Part 2

There's a lot of uncertainly surrounding Dune Part 1's box office performance, but director Denis Villeneuve remains optimistic that Warner Bros. will ultimately decide to move ahead with the sequel.

By MarkCassidy - Aug 17, 2021 11:08 AM EST
Filed Under: Dune

Even if we weren't in the midst of a global pandemic, Dune would be far from a guaranteed hit at the box office. Sure, Frank Herbert's novels have many devotees and a lot of fans are looking forward to the upcoming movie, but then, the same could be said about Blade Runner 2049.

Denis Villeneuve's recent sequel to Ridley Scott's classic was a hit with critics and movie-goers (at least, the ones who showed up) alike, but it failed to make much of a dent in the box office. Now, the acclaimed director has another bleak, thoughtful, multimillion dollar sci-fi project coming up, and there is a lot of concern that Dune is destined for the same reaction.

The major difference is, while 2049 was a relatively self-contained story, Dune is a "Part 1 of 2." Still, despite the current climate, Villeneuve says he's optimistic that the sequel will happen.

"Everybody at Warner Bros and Legendary, they are 100 percent behind the project," he tells Total Film. "They feel that it would need a really bad outcome at the box office to not have a Dune: Part Two, because they love the movie. They are proud of the movie, so they want the movie to move forward. And they still did half of it. So, you know, I’m very optimistic."

The filmmaker is in the process of writing the script for Part 2, but is still not happy about Dune's simultaneous theatrical and HBO Max debut.

"First of all, the enemy of cinema is the pandemic. That’s the thing. We understand that the cinema industry is under tremendous pressure right now. That I get," Villeneuve concedes. "The way it happened, I’m still not happy. Frankly, to watch Dune on a television, the best way I can compare it is to drive a speedboat in your bathtub. For me, it’s ridiculous. It’s a movie that has been made as a tribute to the big-screen experience."

Dune is set for release on October 22, and we'll just have to wait and see what kind of reception awaits it. For now, you can check out some new stills from the movie below. 

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DUNE: MESSIAH First Plot Details Revealed By Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve; Will Likely Begin Shooting In 2026

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Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 8/17/2021, 11:33 AM
I'll take "things that are never gonna happen" for $500, Alex.
lordSTALE
lordSTALE - 8/17/2021, 12:25 PM
@Feralwookiee - Yeah I thought they made both movies back to back, but if they're relying on the success of the first to greenlight the second, then the sequel is probably already dead 😒
IronGenesis
IronGenesis - 8/17/2021, 11:35 AM
I’m thinking a RE-RELEASE after Part 1 brings home some Oscar Noms/Awards to n early 2022 when (hopefully we are in better times) will help the overall BO.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 8/17/2021, 1:35 PM
@IronGenesis - thats the only thing that I can see secure that little bit of extra money needed for a sequel
LameLuka
LameLuka - 8/17/2021, 2:04 PM
@IronGenesis - a re-release wont help it. Especially with the movie being on torren sites once it hits the US
IronGenesis
IronGenesis - 8/17/2021, 2:06 PM
@LameLuka - helped avatar surpass endgame
Whaley87
Whaley87 - 8/17/2021, 3:01 PM
@IronGenesis - After a re-release in China.
WakandaTech
WakandaTech - 8/17/2021, 11:36 AM
WB has major plans for the Dune Universe

They hope this becomes their very own Star Wars Type IP

Movie Sequels,Prequels spinoffs and shows on HBOMax
GhostDog
GhostDog - 8/17/2021, 11:37 AM
“They feel that it would need a really bad outcome at the box office to not have a Dune: Part Two”

The Box Office looking at Denis, knowing how it’s done him in the past
GhostDog
GhostDog - 8/17/2021, 12:06 PM
@Waddles - BO to Denis

CurlyBill
CurlyBill - 8/17/2021, 11:40 AM
Man I love Denis and his films, but the chance of Dune being a big enough hit to warrant a sequel during pandemic times...
Skrull
Skrull - 8/17/2021, 12:12 PM
@CurlyBill - TBH, there was little chance of his Dune being a huge BO success during normal times. Look to Blade Runner 2049 as precedent.
dmac3232
dmac3232 - 8/17/2021, 11:41 AM
A potential masterpiece like this getting buried while something like Free Guy gets spun out into a franchise would just about kill me. (Metaphorically speaking.)
Feralwookiee
Feralwookiee - 8/17/2021, 12:07 PM
@dmac3232 - This is modern Hollywood we're talking about.
Why would you be surprised?
dracula
dracula - 8/17/2021, 11:42 AM
Wonder if he is interested in adapting some of the other Dune novels (doubt he would do all of them)
dracula
dracula - 8/17/2021, 11:46 AM
Him and Nolan are probably the best directors of their generation
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