As a seasoned cinephile who has traversed the desolate dunes of Arrakis and navigated the political machinations of noble houses under the watchful gaze of sandworms, I must say that “Dune: Prophecy” is an enticing addition to the sprawling tapestry of Frank Herbert’s masterpiece.
After the incredible success of Dune Part Two, it was only natural for Warner Bros. Discovery and Legendary to delve deeper into the story universe, and so they have with a TV series called Dune: Prophecy. This new show debuted its first episode on HBO, giving viewers a glimpse into the world of Dune millennia before Paul Atreides was born. The series primarily focuses on the Sisterhood of the Bene Gesserit, but it also explores the origins of the influential and formidable Harkonnen family. By examining historical feuds among the royal houses, Dune: Prophecy illustrates how these past conflicts would ultimately mold the world that later gave rise to the events depicted in Denis Villeneuve’s movies.
Although the television series strays somewhat from the film series, they still share common ground as they both exist within the same expansive Dune universe. Thematically and visually, Dune: Prophecy aligns with the style and ambiance of the two movies directed by Villeneuve, particularly in its set design. A clear example is the sandworm scene at the end of the first episode. Interestingly, it’s been confirmed that the esteemed director granted approval for this particular sandworm design. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dune: Prophecy’s showrunner Alison Schapker discussed the creative connection while also explaining the goal of the series to establish its own unique narrative independent from the films.
In the novel “Dune”, when we venture to the planet Arrakis, the sandworms share a resemblance. However, Denis graciously acknowledged this similarity. Yet, we yearned to explore distinct areas within the “Dune” universe, which is why we purposely avoided making most of our storyline occur on Arrakis.
‘Dune Prophecy’ Wants to Set Itself Apart With a Tragic Story of Its Own
Rather than sticking with Arrakis as the series’ location and revisiting familiar territories from the two movies, Dune: Prophecy transports the narrative to a completely fresh environment and a web of power struggles involving diverse characters. In the same interview with THR, Schapker clarified that Prophecy intends to present an exceptional tale revolving around this specific group of characters and their influence within the world initially conceived by Frank Herbert.
I’ve never encountered anyone who wasn’t curious about the Bene Gesserit, and I’m no exception. To delve deeper into their history, we’re examining them through the perspective of the Harkonnens – who in 10,000 years have become nothing but sinister antagonists. So, let’s trace the origins of this family and unravel their tragic tale.
Even though the planets and characters differ significantly from the Dune films, fans of the franchise will find familiar elements when watching the series. For instance, the sandworm at the end of the first episode, defense shield technology in sparring scenes, and the distinctive voice of the Bene Gesserit are reminiscent of the movies. The HBO series is telling its own heart-rending story set in the past, but it manages to maintain a visual resemblance to the films, which is quite remarkable given that Dune: Prophecy is operating on a television budget. It’s hoped that there will be more visual similarities to enrich the viewing experience and deepen our exploration of the world of Dune.
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2024-11-26 00:31