Sci-Fi Dune

[Boom]

Well, call up Villeneuve.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

So is the first book worth the read? I didn't like the first film, didn't care for the miniseries, so I don't get the hype over this universe. But Hollywood seems to love it.

DUNE inspired a lot of properties in many ways, but I think much like say, John Carter or The Shadow what came after that they inspired has eclipsed them in the wider pop culture. I think there is a danger that this kind of "old" property that has not been kindly received by audiences in adapted form these last few decades will suffer a similar fate as Carter and Shadow.

But you can't discount that it is "known" and that people that are fans, even in the world of Hollywood film makers, are usually really passionate.

I agree with everyone that thinks a series ala GAME OF THRONES is probably a much better fit than trying to get three to four films out of it.

I've always had a soft spot for the Lynch film and the intentions for the SCI-FI miniseries are plain to see though I think it misses the mark by a bit. In both cases and as seen in the documentary about the aborted 70's film, I think an issue might just be that from top to bottom in these adaptations the creators are too enamored of the weird and strange inherent in the source and then dial it up to eleven. I think this is a mistake, and I am not even just talking about the plot or production design. Look at the performances in both Lynch's and SyFy's adaptation. The source material already has issues with relatable emotions and some what ham fisted dialogue. These adaptations didn't compensate for that. I get that a big appeal is the trippiness and out there philosophy, but for a mass market hit you need to make it easier to digest for the audience.

Look at the Lynch film and honestly it's biggest issue isn't the look or tone or the plot being to full or any number of valid criticisms. For me... it's the acting. Strange given the incredible cast, but that's my view. Lynch directed every actor it seems to go for some sort of bat guano crazy line reading OR to do things with an off putting emotional remove.

For this sort of story I think that choice, turn the "Weirdness/Strangeness" up to the max, is the wrong way to go. It's already an out there and unique setting and story. Let the actors be more grounded and allow for some emotional connection with the viewers. If they get this to be a series I will hope they take what I laid out into consideration.

 

[Pink Ranger]

So is the first book worth the read? I didn't like the first film, didn't care for the miniseries, so I don't get the hype over this universe. But Hollywood seems to love it.

If you consider yourself a fan of science fiction, it is a must read.

 

[TheVileOne]

I don't think you can boil down Dune into a two hour movie. Even David Lynch couldn't do it.

The plot just isn't movie friendly.

 

[Boom]

Unless you're willing to take a huge risk and make a 3.5 or 4 hour movie, take this to television.

 

[TheVileOne]

Pretty much high-end TV style ala Westworld and Game of Thrones is the only way to execute Dune properly. That way you don't have to take out all the darker and trippier elements. You don't have to remove all the ambiguity.

Remember, Paul Atreides basically becomes the messiah for a nomadic people. Also the spice is basically an allegory for oil. Arakkis is basically the middle east. Then he starts his own conquest of the universe to impose his rule, and millions die in his name.

My point is this. Paul Atreides isn't a noble, moral hero. He is partly a victim of circumstance, but he's not incapable of cruelty either. In the original books there aren't really happy endings for any of the characters. It's a pretty dark and amoral world.

 

[Loki882]

I think that Lynch was not the right choice to make that film. Not because he isn't talented, but because his style just doesn't really fit this kind of material. Also some of the changes that he did make, just didn't work.

 

[TheVileOne]

It didn't fit well with the book at all. Just for example, there's a scene in the movie between the Emperor and one of the Navigators and basically explains the whole plot. It's really silly.

Also as Frank Herbert said to some degree, Paul isn't an actual god. He's playing one. He can't make the skies rain and make Arrakis green. Those aren't his powers.

The SyFy miniseries was good, fairly faithful adaptation of the book. Was it great? No. Clearly limited by budget constraints, but it got most of the elements right.

 

[Loki882]

Yeah they gave away the twist of the book right off of the bat in the film. Also the film's portrayal of the Baron Harkonnen was, awful.

 

[tanita_mors]

I wouldn't underestimate the Islamic connotations the book has. I mean, Paul, our hero, literary takes his followers on a jihad aka holy war that ends with millions of dead infidels. I'm not sure how that would roll in the current climate. It would be quite problematic how to sell this movie to, as they say, "middle America" and a world that has a very pronounced anti-Islamic sentiment at the moment.

A high quality cable tv show or a mini series is the way to go.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Well, call up Villeneuve.

As soon as he's done with Blade Runner 2049, I think it'll be a good time to call him.
Hoping his BR sequel ends up amazing.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Always had a special place in my heart for the Lynch movie as a child of the 80's. But then read the first book about 10 years ago and found it much better. I never got around to reading the sequels but the first book would be better as a TV show like GoT as others have mentioned.

 

[Fallen Angel]

As soon as he's done with Blade Runner 2049, I think it'll be a good time to call him.
Hoping his BR sequel ends up amazing.

He's doing 'The Son' after BR2049.

 

[TheVileOne]

I wouldn't underestimate the Islamic connotations the book has. I mean, Paul, our hero, literary takes his followers on a jihad aka holy war that ends with millions of dead infidels. I'm not sure how that would roll in the current climate. It would be quite problematic how to sell this movie to, as they say, "middle America" and a world that has a very pronounced anti-Islamic sentiment at the moment.

A high quality cable tv show or a mini series is the way to go.

Paul's the protagonist up to a point, but I'd hardly say the book glorifies or tries to convince you that his holy war is "good" and "righteous." If you believe that then I think you missed point.

 

[tanita_mors]

I understood the book , but I fear that most casual viewers won't. They will fixate on what they do understand. And just because it doesn't glorify his holy war, that doesn't mean others won't read into it. I want a true adaptation, but I doubt a movie is a way to go.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

He's doing 'The Son' after BR2049.

If he can do it while doing The Son, I'd still say give it to him.

 

[Monsieur Xavier]

The problem with the Lynch movie is not simplification per se; simplification can be a good thing sometimes. I am glad I was able to watch Lord of the Rings without having to sit through the Recitation Of The Lament Of Flewdurflammybuttfarts, for example. The problem with the Lynch movie, was A) too much story for one movie, and B) David Lynch trying to be too David Lynch and adding too much random **** in there.

In the case of LoTR a lot of songs could be removed form the movie without impact on the story, for me that's not simplification.
In Dune case what I call simplification is the weirding module instead of supreme human combat training, the Navigators way of folding space instead of Holtzman drive and prescience/see the safest route, the revelation at the beginning of the movie that The Guild was dependent on Spice ( and hidden role on Dune ) etc.

 

[Monsieur Xavier]

I wouldn't underestimate the Islamic connotations the book has. I mean, Paul, our hero, literary takes his followers on a jihad aka holy war that ends with millions of dead infidels. I'm not sure how that would roll in the current climate. It would be quite problematic how to sell this movie to, as they say, "middle America" and a world that has a very pronounced anti-Islamic sentiment at the moment.

You only see the extend of it in the second book, not the first.

A high quality cable tv show or a mini series is the way to go.

That's also my point of view.

 

[TheVileOne]

I understood the book , but I fear that most casual viewers won't. They will fixate on what they do understand. And just because it doesn't glorify his holy war, that doesn't mean others won't read into it. I want a true adaptation, but I doubt a movie is a way to go.

Well reading into it is what they should do because they should recognize Paul essentially becoming a "god" and taking over everything is sort of what brought about his downfall. It's not entirely his fault. House Corrino and House Harkonnen's conspiracies partly brought it about, but Paul decided he would be the Madhi and enforce his rule across the universe by force and kill anyone who didn't bend the knee.

It is clearly meant to be an allegory for religious figures and also fanaticism. Now could people read into it and take the wrong conclusions? Yes, but again as I said, Dune isn't movie friendly anyway and it never has been.

 

[Doctor Jones]

So is the first book worth the read? I didn't like the first film, didn't care for the miniseries, so I don't get the hype over this universe. But Hollywood seems to love it.

People have told me it's the LOTR of sci fi. Which is weird to think about given it's a desert planet, but I have the book so I gotta crack it open soon here.

 

[Marvolo]

I think that Lynch was not the right choice to make that film. Not because he isn't talented, but because his style just doesn't really fit this kind of material. Also some of the changes that he did make, just didn't work.

Ridley Scott was originally going to do it, but due to circumstance he ended up doing Alien and Lynch did Dune. I love Alien but Id love to see what 1970s Ridley could have done with Dune.

 

[TheVileOne]

Ultimately though, Lord of the Rings is a lot more positive and upbeat. It's the battle of good vs. evil. Dune has many more shades of grey.

If I would make comparisons, it's their strong sense of world building and mythology. Herbert created a massive, complex lore and mythology for the world of Dune, just like Tolkien did for Lord of the Rings.

 

[TheVileOne]

Ridley Scott was originally going to do it, but do to circumstance he ended up doing Alien and Lynch did Dune. I love Alien but Id love to see what 1970s Ridley could have done with Dune.

It's for the best because I still be believe Dune is largely unfilmable, and Alien is an all-time cinematic classic. I'm not sure Scott would've been able to get a handle on Dune.

 

[Eddie Dean]

People have told me it's the LOTR of sci fi. Which is weird to think about given it's a desert planet, but I have the book so I gotta crack it open soon here.

A sci-fi classic with a desert planet? Crazy!

 

[TheVileOne]

A sci-fi classic with a desert planet? Crazy!

I have no problem saying there's no Star Wars without Dune.

The earlier versions of Star Wars before the original theatrical cut actually come off a lot closer to Dune than say action adventure serials.