A new video compares shots from Denis Villeneuve's upcoming Dune adaptation and David Lynch's 1984 film, revealing many similarities between the two. Villeneuve's much anticipated movie, the first of two that will directly adapt Frank Herbert's legendary 1965 sci-fi novel, released its epic first trailer on Wednesday. Showing off gorgeous cinematography, giant sandworms, and an impressive ensemble cast, the Dune trailer took the internet by storm. Timothée Chalamet takes center stage in the footage, playing Paul Atreides, the young heir of a powerful family destined to lead the Fremen, the original inhabitants of the planet Arrakis, from bondage.
Villeneuve's film is not the first time Herbert's sprawling tale has been adapted for the screen. Following a failed attempt by Alejandro Jodorowsky to adapt the novel, David Lynch directed his own Dune adaptation and released it in 1984. At the time, the film confused audiences, who weren't ready for the tale's complicated combination of politics, environmental themes, and sci-fi elements. It has since come to be regarded as a classic, though, and has gone on to influence entire generations of filmmakers following its release, despite its many faults. One of the filmmakers it clearly influenced is Villeneuve.
A new video, cut together by IMDB, shows just how much Villeneuve was influenced by Lynch's version. The 52-second edit takes key shots from the trailer, and compares them to shots of the same scenes from the 1984 film, and the similarities are astounding. From the intimate close-ups to the wide shots, Lynch's influence on Villeneuve's Dune is clear. You can watch the video below:
The video is similar to one IMDB produced for Villeneuve's previous film, Blade Runner 2049, showing that the director isn't shy about foregrounding his influences. This doesn't mean, of course, that Villeneuve's film rips off Lynch's directly. The French-Canadian auteur has previously said that Lynch's version inspired him, despite it leaving him "half-satisfied" and even if it hadn't, there would naturally be overlap given that the films both adapt the same novel.
Villeneuve's version is also less likely to be as divisive as Lynch's was, given that movie audiences are far more willing to watch long complex sci-fi tales on screen now than they were 36 years ago. The amazing cast of this year's Dune also helps. Where Lynch's version featured some controversial casting choices, including pop star Sting as Feyd Rautha, this time around Villeneuve has assembled a who's who of Hollywood actors for his cast. In addition to Chalamet in the lead role, Villeneuve's Dune also stars Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Jason Momoa, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgard, and many others.
So, fans who are worried that this video shows Villeneuve is just copying Lynch's version can rest assured that he will definitely put his own stamp on the movie, as already evidenced by the phenomenal work that went into putting the story's famous giant sandworms on screen. Dune is currently scheduled for a December 18 release date, though it may be pushed back due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Source: IMDB
