Get Tickets DUNE is now playing Immerse yourself in the epic story of DUNE, a cinematic experience from visionary director Denis Villeneuve. DUNE features over an hour of sequences shot with IMAX® cameras that will visually expand to fill the screen and combined with next generation precision sound, audiences will experience the scale, beauty and untamed power of Arrakis. Intense and Emotional Journey IMAX takes you beyond the edge of your seat and into a world you've never imagined, allowing us to be immersed into the sand dunes and feel the deep emotion of the inhabitants of Arrakis. Villeneuve’s emotional scale can only be felt on the big screen showing us the impassioned weight of a single tear or the pain of an aged warrior preparing for battle. If you aren’t seeing DUNE in IMAX, you aren’t seeing the whole journey. Epic Score Hans Zimmer elevates the action of DUNE with a score set to rival his work from THE DARK KNIGHT. The heart-pounding precision audio and unique auditorium design of IMAX set the tone, while the music and score create an intense rhythm and pulse for the film. Zimmer’s score surrounds you, taking advantage of every moment to pull your heart strings and push you further into excitement that you can only feel in IMAX. Epic Landscapes and Sandworms DUNE sequences shot with IMAX cameras will visually expand Arrakis with unprecedented crispness and clarity making you feel like you could step through the screen and onto another planet. You need no other reason to visit this strange new world than the 26% more picture that IMAX delivers, that’s right, that means 26% more sandworms and there is nothing more we could ask for! Transport yourself to planet Arrakis and put yourself in the battle between House Atreides and House Harkonnen with IMAX. Get Tickets DUNE is now playing
An intergalactic adventure decades in the making comes to theatres in 2020! Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel “Dune” is a story of political intrigue, betrayal and prophecy set on a desert planet inhabited by gigantic sandworms. Now, the book is being adapted to film with a mind-bendingly spectacular cast and one of the most talented directors working today. Here’s everything we know about the new DUNE movie. The Dune Release Date [Credit: Universal Pictures] DUNE comes to theatres on November 20, 2020. That’s an interesting date, because Dune is from Warner Bros., which also makes and distributes the FANTASTIC BEASTS series — and DUNE’s Thanksgiving date is the day the third FANTASTIC BEASTS movie was previously announced to release. We don’t know what that means for FANTASTIC BEASTS 3, but we do know we have to wait a year and a half for DUNE. Where’s the Dune Trailer? [Credit: Universal Pictures] DUNE has not even begun shooting yet, so there’s no trailer — or any character photos or concept art, for that matter. (Photo illustrations in this article are from the 1984 film adaptation.) We’ve heard a steady stream of casting news, however (we’ll get to that in a moment), which has us incredibly excited for the film. Shooting should begin in May or June 2019, after which we’ll hopefully get the first look at characters. Dune’s Director [Credit: Warner Bros.] Denis Villeneuve, who made BLADE RUNNER 2049 (above) and ARRIVAL, is directing based on a script he wrote with Eric Roth and Jon Spaihts. Brian Herbert, son of original author Frank Herbert, is among the producers. He also co-wrote many “Dune” novels after the death of his father, so Brian Herbert is the foremost living authority on the series. The storytelling skills and visual style Villeneuve showed off in his previous sci-fi films, not to mention in movies like PRISONERS and SICARIO, are the root of our excitement for this new version of DUNE. This story is an opportunity to go big and weird with designs and characters, and Villeneuve is just the right person to call the shots. The Story of Dune [Credit: Universal Pictures] Before we get to the cast of DUNE, let’s talk about the story. It will help things make sense. Frank Herbert’s novel is akin to “Game of Thrones” in that it focuses on a deep rivalry between old bloodlines and features an initially imposing set of clans, social structures and creatures. DUNE is the story of two powerful governing houses — House Atreides and House Harkonnen — as they vie to control the desert planet Arrakis. That planet is essentially one vast desert, which is the root of its nickname, Dune. More importantly, the planet Dune is the source of a spice that mutates those who ingest it and unlocks hidden abilities in some human minds, including the power to control instantaneous space travel. The Emperor of the Known Universe, who is secretly aligned with the Harkonnens, is very interested in the planet Dune. The Emperor has to deal with the powerful Guild Navigators, who actually do the work of conducting space travel and, therefore, subsist on the spice. On Dune itself, there are the native Fremen, the only people who understand the massive 250-meter sandworms which are somehow connected to the spice. Finally, there’s a religious group of women called the Bene Gesserit, which is dedicated to the fulfillment of a prophecy that says a prophet will come who can unite rival houses and lead the universe to a new age. As Duke Atreides and his family take control of Dune — a scenario which everyone knows is a potentially deadly political maneuver — several of the groups mentioned above begin to suspect that his son Paul, the main character of the story, may be the prophet the Bene Gesserit have spent centuries preparing for. The Cast of Dune 2020 [Credit: Sony Pictures Classics] Take a deep breath. There’s a lot to cover! Timothée Chalamet (CALL ME BY YOUR NAME) plays Paul Atreides, the teen son of Duke Leto Atreides, played by Oscar Isaac (STAR WARS), and Lady Jessica Atreides, played by Rebecca Ferguson (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT). Charlotte Rampling (“Broadchurch”) plays the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, a Bene Gesserit leader who isn’t happy that Lady Jessica bore a son. The Duke has a variety of important officers and advisors. Josh Brolin (AVENGERS: ENDGAME) plays the military mastermind Gurney Halleck, while Jason Momoa (AQUAMAN) is the sword master Duncan Idaho. On the side of the villainous Harkonnen family, Stellan Skarsgård (MAMMA MIA!) plays Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, while Dave Bautista (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY) plays the Baron’s nephew and henchman, Glossu “Beast” Rabban. David Dastmalchian (BLADE RUNNER 2049) plays Piter De Vries, the Baron’s massively intelligent advisor. Down on the planet Dune, Javier Bardem (SKYFALL) plays Stilgar, the Fremen leader who gives refuge to Paul. Zendaya (SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME) plays a Fremen named Chani who grows close to Paul. Remembering Dune 1984 [Credit: Universal Pictures] David Lynch made the original DUNE movie in 1984. (That’s Lynch above, in a cameo from his film.) From Lynch’s perspective, the experience was not good. DUNE went over budget, and Lynch did not have final cut. The project was Lynch’s third movie; he had debuted with ERASERHEAD, which was followed by THE ELEPHANT MAN. The Frank Herbert adaptation represented a massive increase in scale and budget. Lynch struggled to tell the story, with all of its intricate character relationships and strange terminology. His DUNE has amazing sets and costumes, some very cool effects, and features the film debut of Kyle MacLachlan, as Paul Atreides. The 1984 DUNE is also awkward and talky, with an abrupt ending. It was a financial disappointment. “DUNE took me off at the knees, maybe a little higher,” Lynch has said of the experience. That’s not the only adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel, either. The Sci-Fi Channel (now Syfy) made a miniseries adaptation of the first novel in 2000. And director Alejandro Jodorowsky tried to make his own epic and trippy adaptation in the 1970s. That effort failed, but is chronicled in the documentary JODOROWSKY’S DUNE. A Second Chance [Credit: Paramount Pictures] This version stands a much better chance of working out well. Denis Villeneuve has a big advantage that David Lynch did not: Thanks to Marvel and DC movies, and TV epics such as “Game of Thrones,” audiences are now accustomed to stories featuring dense character sets and strange names. The producers of Lynch’s DUNE were not confident that audiences would understand the movie. That anxiety shows in the way the characters constantly explain things to one another. (During the original release, DUNE audiences were even given a glossary sheet!) This new version should be able to build the people and worlds imagined by Frank Herbert in a more organic way. Films like Villeneuve’s ARRIVAL (above) prove that movies can get pretty far out and not worry about losing the audience. One Dune or Two? [Credit: Universal Pictures] Denis Villeneuve and Brian Herbert both said in 2018 that DUNE is the first of two films adapting the original novel. If that plan still holds true — which, to be honest, we’re not entirely certain about — the November 2020 movie will likely end at the point where House Atreides suffers a massive betrayal that redefines their position on Arrakis. No matter whether DUNE 2020 is a single-film adaptation of the novel, or the first half of a two-movie series, we can’t wait to see what Villeneuve and his incredible cast come up with. Check back in with the AMC Scene as we collect more information about DUNE!
While moviegoers were treated to a sneak peek of DUNE when seeing Christopher Nolan’s TENET opening weekend, the first official trailer has officially debuted for the world to see. Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel “Dune” is a story of political intrigue, betrayal, and prophecy and is now being adapted to film with a mind-bendingly spectacular cast and one of the most talented directors working today. In early August, AMC was invited to watch a special conversation moderated by Stephen Colbert with DUNE director Denis Villeneuve and his all-star cast. Colbert, an avid fan of DUNE since his teenage years, gave us a special look into the world of Frank Herbert’s epic novel and how Villeneuve brought the story and these characters to life. Here are some of the highlights from this special discussion, along with additional insight into the movie: A Coming of Age Story Frank Herbert’s novel has been called one of the greatest science-fiction stories of all-time, influencing many beloved television shows and films, including STAR WARS. Director Denis Villeneuve loved this book since he was 14 and he called this project his “dream movie.” In a move like Warner Bros.’ most recent adaptation of Stephen King’s IT, DUNE will be split across two films, which Villeneuve said was a must for him as he felt he could not tell the entire story in just one movie. The story of DUNE is akin to “Game of Thrones” in that it focuses on a deep rivalry between old bloodlines and features an initially imposing set of clans, social structures and creatures. It is the story of two powerful governing houses — House Atreides and House Harkonnen — as they vie to control the desert planet Arrakis. That planet is essentially one vast desert, which is the root of its nickname, Dune. As Duke Atreides and his family take control of Dune — a scenario which everyone knows is a potentially deadly political maneuver — several groups begin to suspect that his son Paul, the main character of the story, may be the prophet who will unite rival houses and lead the universe to a new age. While science fiction and fantasy take reign in the story, Villeneuve felt those were more background elements and this is a very human, coming of age story, and that’s what appealed to him most. The Charismatic Timothée Chalamet It’s very possible that DUNE might have the best casts in film history, featuring stars from some of the highest grossing and most beloved franchises of all-time, including STAR WARS, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, and the superhero worlds of Marvel and DC. In the lead role is Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. Director Denis Villeneuve described that the casting of Chalamet as an easy one because “he is by far one of the best actors of his generation. The contrast of someone who seems to have a lot of experience, but at the same time to look like someone in his teenage years like Paul Atreides is what I was looking for. He has an insane charisma that we found from the old Hollywood stars of the 1920s and silent movies, which is very rare.” The Empathetic Father Oscar Isaac plays Paul’s father, Duke Leto Atreides. In sharing more about his character, Isaac explained, “Leto is the epitome of what a father should be. He’s under incredible pressure to save his family, his House, and to adapt to this new existential threat which is moving to this strange planet. He tries to live up to these bigger ideals, which is sensitivity, empathy, love, and order and trying to give that and show that to his son, knowing that he’s not going to be there forever.” The Lady of Dune Rebecca Ferguson, who was unable to attend the conversation due to previous filming obligations for MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7, plays the important role of Lady Jessica, Paul’s mother. In not revealing too much about the film, her costar Chalamet shared, “there is no DUNE without Lady Jessica. The triggering event of the story doesn’t happen without her character.” A Protective Father Figure Close to the House Atreides is the war master, Gurney Halleck, played by Josh Brolin. Brolin described his character as “a parent of sorts to Paul – he’s taken a real liking to this kid. He’s a great Braveheart type of warrior, but at the same time, has a love of poetry, heart, and has a real a softness to him.” The Gracious Warrior In a role that only Jason Momoa could play is Duncan Idaho, the swordmaster of House Atreides and a mentor to Paul. Momoa was very humbled and gracious on being involved with this film calling Denis Villeneuve a “cinematic genius” and said “this film set the bar for how I want my career to go, working with Denis and with this level of actors. I learned so much every day.” The Mysterious Fremen Rounding out the cast is the group of Fremen, the native inhabitants to the planet Arrakis, who protect the planet and its environment from the abuse that it’s taken. Javier Bardem, playing Stilgar, the leader of this group, shared the Fremen’s “ethics, morality, and environmental thinking in their ways was brilliant.” Also in the Fremen tribe is Chani (played by Zendaya), a young Fremen woman who develops a special relationship with Paul. Filming in Budapest, Hungary and Jordan In addition to splitting the story across two films, another condition Villeneuve wanted in making this was to film in the real desert and try to capture everything in-camera as much as he could. He compared this as “you don’t shoot JAWS in the swimming pool – you need to be in the real environment” and advocated for the film to be shot on location in Budapest, Hungary, and Jordan. With this story, Villeneuve also felt an importance of being in a real environment, sharing “at the very core, what I love about DUNE is the exploration of life and the ecosystem and biosphere. All the science that Frank Herbert put behind that is so beautiful and poetic – I think in order to bring this story to the screen, I needed to be as close to nature as possible.” From the conversation with Colbert, the chemistry among the cast felt very special and unlike a typical movie. Actor Oscar Isaac described the filming experience as “the enthusiasm that we had on set making this thing which I know from seeing little bits of the movie, does get translated onto the screen. It was thrilling completely being there with Denis, being there on the sets, and especially working with these incredible people. We just had so much fun – it was unlike anything that I have had the chance to be a part of.” He later poked fun at his costar Josh Brolin, sharing, “no set piece, no X-Wing, no Millennium Falcon can compare to the sheer scale of Josh Brolin’s head – it was just massive, both literally and figuratively and really made me feel like I was in an alien planet.” Audiences won’t have to wait much longer as the highly anticipated DUNE opens at AMC later this year.