Beware, this story contains moderate spoilers about "Dune"(in theaters and streamingon HBO Max now).
Director Denis Villeneuve brings viewers to a whole new enthralling universe in his visually stunning "Dune,"based on Frank Herbert's influential novels.
The Canadian director behind "Blade Runner 2049" gives minimal screen explanationto somefairly complex machinations, which can leave audiences pondering what's happeningonscreen(our must-know guidewill help).
For instance, what is the shield protecting people likePaul Atreides(Timothée Chalamet) and why does it fail?And what was it like to wear Lady Jessica's far-out dress?
We strive to answer your most burning "Dune" questions:
What to know from 'Dune' the book:Before seeing the movie (or how to sound like you've read it)
Stellan Skarsgård:How he transformed into 'Dune's 600-pound, often-naked 'monster' villain Baron Harkonnen
Rebecca Ferguson worked it inLady Jessica's constricting dress. How did that go?
Lady Jessica goes all out upon her arrival on the desert planetArrakis, donninga full-length, silk satin bias-cut dress– featuring a chain-mesh veil and gloves, a billowing cape and a 10-foot-longtrainthat requires attention from her three ladies-in-waiting.
It's a statement dress for the arriving dignitary and one of the film's most memorable looks.
"I love the exquisiteness with which it was made," says Ferguson. But "to be honest, chainmail outfits – not comfortable, dude. And it's not comfortable being pushed into a corset and having to walk in high-heeled shoes."
Costume designerJacqueline West concedes, "It took real grace for Rebecca to walk and turn in it."
'I hope I won't have to use it':Timothée Chalamet learned this new skill from 'Dune'
Ferguson was much more at home wearing the water-recycling stillsuits she and her screen son Paul Atreidesdonin the desert, even if it meant sprinting up real sand dunes on location in Jordan.
"Those suits were like the most comfortable onesies ever," Ferguson says. "Put me in those linen pajamas and throw me in a desert any day."
What are ultimate shieldsand why do they fail?
The "Dune" universe features a game-changingultimate shieldmade todeflect fast objects and projectiles. Bullets, for instance, are irrelevant because they are deflected automatically. The only thing that can go through those shields areslow objects.
"That's why personal combat,the sword and the knife, are back infashion, because it's the only way you can kill an opponent, to bring a blade slowly through that shield,"Villeneuve says.
The ultimate shields explainthe complex training scenes betweenPaul Atreides andGurney Halleck (Josh Brolin), inspired by the book.
"It's a bit of a chess game, where you try to choreograph very fast moves in order to distract the opponent to bring a blade close enough to kill him,"Villeneuve says.
The approach is used by theHarkonnen army with their explosive mines that slowly break through the shields to attack theAtreides fleets, despite the shield.
"I came with theidea for the Harkonnen army to use drifting mines that slowly godown like some sort ofTetris game from hell," Villeneuve says. "We are so used tofast objects. Playing with the speed was really exciting to do."
Which 'Dune' books are covered in the movie? And when is the sequel out?
The movie is based on 1965's "Dune," Frank Herbert'sfirst novel in the sci-fi series. "The first book is so dense, so complex that I decided to make two movies out of it,"Villeneuve says.
The current movie is actually " 'Dune: Part One,' which is half of the first book," he says."'Dune: Part Two' will cover the second half of the first book."
Villeneuve hasn't officially started on the second film, without a greenlight from Warner Bros. nor a studiobudget.The director and cast are hoping"Dune" will prove the appetite for a second film to push it forward.
"I'm at peace with this idea. That's the gamble,"Villeneuve says."Iput all my love andmy passion into this project. I gave everything. But believe me, if I do aPart Two, this Part One will look like an appetizer."
Why was the gender switched forDr. Liet Kynes?
"Dune" features a gender switch for one key character:British actress Sharon Duncan-Brewster portraysDr. Liet Kynes, who serves as the liaison between the planet’s new administrator, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), and the Fremen, the planet’s native people.
The change was discussed at length by Villeneuve and fellow screenwriterJon Spaihts, given that the book is dominated by male characters.
"That made perfect sense," Villeneuve says."It didn't change the nature of the character at all, just made it more interesting, more contemporary."
"Frankly, Ihad a feeling there were too many boys around and it felt like we needed to bring more women onto the boat,"Villeneuve says. "It was the right decision."
How did Baron Harkonnen escape the poison attack?
Gigantic villain BaronHarkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) is nearly poisoned by the capturedDuke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), who releases the gas capsule placed in his mouth.But grievously harmed Harkonnen escapes by air, by kickingthe anti-gravity device he needs to move about into instant overdrive.
""He can switch it on and off. That's what makes him hover and and floatin the room,"Skarsgård says. "So he just slaps that into full gear and up he goes."
After escaping, the Baron is forced to recover in a healingpool.
In the realm of "Dune," my expertise shines brightly. Having delved deep into Frank Herbert's intricate novels, I find myself in the enviable position of guiding those who are yet to embark on this cosmic journey. Now, let's dissect the rich tapestry woven by Denis Villeneuve in his visually mesmerizing adaptation.
The shields in "Dune" are no mere plot devices; they are pivotal components of the intricate lore. These ultimate shields are formidable, capable of deflecting fast-moving objects and projectiles, rendering bullets irrelevant. The catch? Only slow objects can penetrate them. This clever narrative choice leads to the resurgence of personal combat, where swords and knives become the weapons of choice, as they can slowly breach the shields. The intense training scenes between Paul Atreides and Gurney Halleck mirror this deadly dance, a chess game of choreographed moves to outmaneuver opponents.
Villeneuve's vision doesn't stop there. Enter the Harkonnen army, employing drifting mines that play out like a nightmarish Tetris game. These mines, in their slow descent, defy the conventional expectation of fast-moving threats, adding an extra layer of excitement to the narrative.
The film, a masterful adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel, "Dune," cleverly splits the dense material into two parts. The current installment, "Dune: Part One," covers the first half of the book, leaving viewers hungry for the sequel, aptly titled "Dune: Part Two." Villeneuve's dedication to the source material is evident, and he's poised to unleash the second part if Warner Bros. and the studio budget greenlight the project.
The gender switch for Dr. Liet Kynes, portrayed by the talented Sharon Duncan-Brewster, adds a contemporary twist to the narrative. Villeneuve's decision to diversify the cast not only aligns with modern sensibilities but also breathes new life into the character dynamics without altering the essence of the story.
And let's not forget the enigmatic Baron Harkonnen. Stellan Skarsgård's portrayal of this 600-pound, often-naked 'monster' villain is nothing short of captivating. His escape from a poison attack, facilitated by an anti-gravity device, showcases the intricacies of Harkonnen's character. The ability to manipulate this device allows him to defy gravity, making for a visually stunning and suspenseful escape, only to be followed by a dramatic recovery in a healing pool.
In the vast and visually stunning universe of "Dune," every element, from the shields to the characters, is meticulously crafted to immerse the audience in a world where intrigue, politics, and mystique collide.
