Denis Villeneuve's critically-acclaimed Dune: Part Two always looked likely to emerge as a bigger hit than its predecessor, but the latest box office projections suggest that the epic sci-fi sequel could have a much more impressive debut than anyone anticipated.
The first movie was released during the pandemic, debuting in theaters and on streaming around the same time. This coupled with its over 2-and-a-half hour run-time led to somewhat lowered expectations, but it still managed to take in over $400 million at the global box office.
Clearly, audiences are anxious to find out what happens next, as Part Two is expected to take in between $70 million and $80 million domestically, and between $80 million and $90 million overseas, for a possible $170 million global opening. With a reported $190 million budget (not counting marketing costs, etc), this would obviously be an incredible start for the movie.
The Dune sequel will have very little in the way of theatrical competition for quite a while, and stellar reviews (97% on Rotten Tomatoes) certainly won't hurt.
Do you plan on seeing the movie opening weekend?
"Those hoping for blockbuster escapism might find themselves shook by this faithful, at times borderline depressing adaptation," we said in our review. "But Dune Part Two is Sci-fi spectacle at its finest and most audacious, as Villeneuve builds-upon and possibly surpasses (opinions will vary) his previous film with aplomb."
The saga continues as award-winning filmmaker Denis Villeneuve embarks on Dune: Part Two, the next chapter of Frank Herbert’s celebrated novel Dune, with an expanded all-star international ensemble cast. The film, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, is the highly anticipated follow-up to 2021’s six-time Academy Award-winning Dune.
The big-screen epic continues the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed bestseller Dune with returning and new stars, including Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (Wonka, Call Me by Your Name), Zendaya (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Malcolm & Marie, Euphoria), Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning), Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (Avengers: Endgame, Milk), Oscar nominee Austin Butler (Elvis, Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood), Oscar nominee Florence Pugh (Black Widow, Little Women), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor: Love and Thunder), Oscar winner Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter,), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Fences), Léa Seydoux (James Bond, Crimes of the Future), with Stellan Skarsgård (Avengers: Age of Ultron), Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (45 Years, Assassin’s Creed), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Being the Ricardos).
Dune: Part Two will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.