“Dune: Part Two” has just been postponed until next year. There’s some small consolation in the new images and magazine covers Empire has exclusively released – and new info from director Denis Villeneuve.
It should be THE sci-fi highlight of the year. After Denis Villeneuve’s first part of the novel adaptation “Dune” became a complete success in 2021, science fiction and cinema fans worldwide were looking forward to the sequel in the fall of 2023. But now it means: wait longer! Because “Dune: Part Two” has just been postponed to 2024 and is now expected to hit theaters in Germany on March 14.
At least we can sweeten the now significantly extended waiting time with a few new images of the sci-fi event. Empire magazine has published the covers of its upcoming “Dune 2” special in advance – and also some exclusive pictures, which you can view directly in the articles at Empire.
The battle for Arrakis begins. Introducing Empire’s world-exclusive DunePartTwo issue, talking to Denis Villeneuve about his epic sci-fi sequel.
The Fighters take to the first of two covers – Paul Atreides, Chani, Lady Jessica, Gurney Halleck and Stilgar. On sale Thurs Aug 31 pic.twitter.com/D9RUkIEpMm
– Empire Magazine (@empiremagazine) August 25, 2023
The subscriber cover for Empire’s world-exclusive DunePartTwo issue is a stunning piece of Arrakis-inspired art, designed exclusively for Empire by @nadamaktari
READ MORE: https://t.co/O84Xg6Dd4V pic.twitter.com/wZ4Wh9JRAC
– Empire Magazine (@empiremagazine) August 25, 2023
Buyers will have a hard time choosing between the covers: Do you choose the orange motif with the heroines of the saga around Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet)? Or rather the bad boys and ladies in cool blue? Regarding the prominent newcomer Feyd-Rautha, played by “Elvis” star Austin Butler, director Denis Villeneuve explained in an interview with Empire: “He’s a mixture of a psychopathic killer, an Olympic swordsman, a snake and Mick Jagger. “
WAR FILM & LOVE STORY
After the first “Dune” installment introduced the characters and set up betrayal and drama on the desert planet of Arrakis after the murder of Paul’s father Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac), the sequel gets down to business. Paul and the Fremen go to battle against House Harkonnen – which brings a marked change in tone, as Villeneuve confirmed:
“The first film was more reflective – a young man discovering the world. This time it’s a war movie.” But despite the battle royale, there will be no shortage of emotion: “At its core, though, it’s a love story between Paul and Chani. It’s about how Paul gains her trust, how she opens her heart to him, and how they find a way to free Chani’s world from the grip of the Harkonnen. It’s a much more emotional film.”
Chani is played by Zendaya, and also returning from Part 1 are Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Dave Bautista, Josh Brolin and Stellan Skarsgård, among others. Prominent new additions to “Dune 2” include Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam, Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen and Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot.
