Fear is the mind-killer. Dune hype must flow.
Strap on your stillsuits and watch out for sandworms because Dune is just weeks away from landing in cinemas, with the sci-fi epic easily being one of the most-hyped films of the year.
Based on the legendary novel by Frank Herbert, the story whisks us away to the desolate planet Arrakis, where the noble Atreides family, led by Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac), are charged with taking over and maintaining spice production.
In the world of Dune, spice is the incredibly important and valuable substance required for space travel, but Atreides heir Paul (Timothée Chalamet) foresees great danger waiting for his family on Arrakis – and he’s right.
In addition to Isaac and Chalamet, Dune boasts a stellar ensemble cast that includes Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible), Josh Brolin (Avengers: Endgame), Zendaya (Spider-Man: No Way Home) and Jason Momoa (Aquaman).
With that in mind, it’s little surprise that expectations are high and talk of a sequel is already ramping up, with director Denis Villeneuve (Arrival) teasing what the unconfirmed follow-up would have in-store.
“If such a thing as Dune: Part Two happens, I will say that it’s going to be an insane playground for me,” he told Variety, adding that with the world-building complete, he can “just have fun with cinema”.
Villeneuve added: “It’s going to be just like pure cinematic pleasure for the second part. I don’t want to speak for everybody on the team, but I will say that we really created on this movie a feeling of family and to re-unify everybody again together, that would be paradise.”
Here’s everything you need to know about Dune including when you can see it in cinemas.
Dune movie UK release date
Dune will be released in the UK on Friday 22nd October 2021. In the US the movie will be released both theatrically and on HBO Max on the same day – with Warner Bros reversing their earlier decision for it to be released exclusively on the streamer.
Dune had originally been scheduled for release in 2020, but it was pushed back by Warner Bros. Studio moving around their slate due to the pandemic.
Before the wide release, the film will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September, playing out-of-competition at the prestigious festival – where other Warner Bros films including Joker, A Star Is Born and Gravity have all debuted in recent years.
Will Dune be released online? How to watch movie
In the United States, Dune will be released simultaneously in cinemas and on streaming service HBO Max, giving viewers the option to watch at home if they so desire – although director Villeneuve has encouraged seeing it on the biggest screen possible.
Dune will be available on HBO Max for 31 days, at which point it will be removed from the service and subscribers will have to pay a premium either in cinemas or on an alternate online platform to watch it again.
HBO Max is not available in the UK and as a result Dune will be exclusive to cinemas upon release here, with a release on DVD, Blu-ray and rental services likely to be held until next year.
Dune cast
If it wasn’t enough to have one of the most influential sci-fi books ever written as source material, Dune also boasts an incredible all-star cast that has film fans very excited.
Timothee Chalamet takes the lead role as Paul Atreides. His previous roles include critically acclaimed turns in Call Me By Your Name, Lady Bird and Little Women.
Oscar Isaac plays his father Duke Leto, the patriarch of House Atreides, while Mission: Impossible’s Rebecca Ferguson plays his partner Lady Jessica, a follower of the Bene Gesserit way of life.
Josh Brolin (Deadpool 2) and Jason Momoa (Aquaman) play Gurney Halleck and Duncan Idaho respectively, loyal staff to the Atreides family.
Zendaya (Spider-Man: Far From Home) has been cast as Chani, a mysterious person who Paul has visions of and eventually encounters in the Arrakeen desert.
Stellan Skarsgard (Chernobyl) has been cast as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, the sworn enemy of the House Atreides who is briefly glimpsed in the recent trailer.
Rounding out this impeccable cast are Dave Bautista as Count Glossu Rabban Harkonnen, Charlotte Rampling as Rev Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, and Javier Bardem as Stiglar.
You can see much of the cast in some stylish character posters below, where they look suitably rugged:
Dune movie plot: What is it about?
Dune is a complex sci-fi saga dreamt up by novelist Frank Herbert, which unfolds largely from the perspective of the Atreides family after they are chosen by the Emperor to take over spice production on the desolate planet Arrakis.
Spice is the most valuable substance in the universe as it is the single component required for space travel, but it also is coveted by the residents of Arrakis for its mind-altering psychoactive effects.
As they prepare to make the move from the lush planet Caladan to the desert world of Arrakis, young Paul Atreides begins having ominous visions of a terrible fate that awaits them there.
Indeed, sinister forces are conspiring against the Atreides clan, most notably their arch nemeses the Harkonnens, led by the grotesque Baron Vladimir and his brutal nephew, Rabban.
That really is just scratching the surface of what Dune is about, with Herbert’s novel also dealing in an ancient prophecy sacred to the people of Arrakis, which some believe is set in motion by the arrival of Paul and his mother.
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How does Dune compare to the book?
So far so good! Those who have read the original Dune book will spot a number of familiar scenes and concepts in the recent trailer, with many praising the casting as absolutely spot-on.
One minor change is that the character of Dr Liet-Kynes, a planetologist on the planet Arrakis, has been changed from a man in the book to a woman in the film, portrayed by Sex Education‘s Sharon Duncan-Brewster.
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune will adapt roughly the first half of Frank Herbert’s original Dune novel, with plans for a sequel to complete the story down the line.
And according to co-writer Eric Roth, he has already written a treatment for the potential sequel – although he said that that was “as much as I can do” for now.
Speaking to Collider in April 2021, he said, “Hopefully people love Dune so much that they do want to have a second part, and I’m sure Denis would do amazing version of that.”
Dune trailer
The first epic three-minute trailer introduces you to Frank Herbert’s richly detailed sci-fi universe and the characters therein, including Paul Atreides, Chani, Duke Leto and Duncan Idaho. The soundtrack is Pink Floyd’s Eclipse.
A second trailer for Dune was released in July 2021, which gives more of an insight into the plot of the film and even features some comedic banter between Paul (Chalamet) and family friend Duncan Idaho (Momoa). Watch below.
Dune is set to be released in cinemas on 22nd October 2021. You can buy the Dune novel by Frank Herbert on Amazon. If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide or visit our Movies hub for all the latest news.