Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel Dune is one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2020. The new movie comes over 35 years after David Lynch’s 1984 attempt, which has become something of a cult classic over the years.
In that movie, Kyle MacLachlan played the lead role of Paul Atreides, the son of a noble house who suffers a betrayal and must survive in the desert environment of the planet Arrakis, also known as Dune. In the new movie, Timothée Chalamet is taking on the part. Speaking to Kevin Smith and IMDb, MacLachlan said he’s looking forward how Villeneuve’s movie differs from Lynch’s.
"I’m very excited to see it. There will be another one, there will be a couple of us out there, running around, there’s plenty of room I think and Timothée I think will do a fantastic job. I’m very much looking forward to the vision (Denis) has. David Lynch, of course, it’s a very specific vision, so this will be something completely different I’m sure. Why not have both stand on their own merits?"
It’s nice to hear MacLachlan compliment Chalamet like that. And Chalamet is just one of the big names in this movie: others include Dave Bautista (Avengers: Endgame), Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker), Zendaya (Spider-Man), Jason Momoa (Aquaman), Stellan Skarsgard (Chernobyl), and Thanos himself, Josh Brolin!
As for David Lynch, Maclachlan is right that he has a very specific vision. Look no further than Lynch’s Twin Peaks, where MacLachlan played off-kilter FBI agent Dale Cooper. And did you see his latest Netflix short about a monkey?
Lynch and Villeneuve are both excellent directors, but Villeneuve is more approachable. Hopefully his Dune will reach a wider audience; early viewers have already heaped praise on the movie.
And Villeneuve is no stranger to the science fiction genre, having directed the critically acclaimed Arrival and Blade Runner 2049. All of this is reason to get very excited.
Dune is expected to release on December 18, 2020.
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