As a lifelong fan of both ‘Dune’ and ‘Star Wars‘, I’ve had the pleasure (and sometimes the frustration) of immersing myself in these epic space operas for decades. Now, let me tell you something, folks, I ain’t no historian, but I sure do know my sci-fi!
All art borrows from other art, and that’s doubly true when it comes to genre fiction. The world of sci-fi is a constantly growing pile of references, homages, and callbacks. No matter what medium a story is written in or who pens it, it’s bound to pull inspiration from its predecessors. Of course, some inspiration is more obvious than others, as in the case of George Lucas’ “Star Wars” and Frank Herbert’s “Dune.”
Since the debut of Darth Vader in 1977 on the big screen, the debate over Star Wars borrowing elements from Dune has persisted. While Darth Vader was not the most direct comparison, many elements of the film appeared to be influenced or loosely adapted from Herbert’s groundbreaking sci-fi novel. It’s important to note that many science fiction (and even fantasy) narratives created in the years following Dune’s initial publication in 1965 drew inspiration from Herbert’s universe of sandworms, precognition, rebellion, and space politics. This shared ground was a common theme among subsequent sci-fi works, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that Lucas didn’t draw specific inspiration from the book. Over the years, it has certainly appeared as though he did.
Over the years, Lucas has generally steered clear of discussing the topic, but when “Star Wars” initially burst onto the scene, Herbert wasn’t shy about expressing his opinions. In the spirit of exploration, let’s examine some instances where “Star Wars” appears to draw inspiration from “Dune,” as well as areas where it distinguishes itself significantly.
Tatooine was definitely inspired by Arrakis, but they’re not the same
One striking similarity between “Star Wars” and “Dune” is that they both incorporate desolate, significant desert worlds in their stories. In “Dune,” it’s Arrakis, famously known as Dune itself, while in “Star Wars,” it’s Luke Skywalker’s planet, Tatooine. It’s not hard to imagine the Dune Sea from “Star Wars” as a piece of Frank Herbert’s universe, and the resemblance grows stronger when you consider the Sand People and the various creatures of Tatooine, such as the krayt dragons and the Sarlacc.
Although sandworms and their associated Fremen characters from “Dune” are not directly replicated, there are striking similarities. However, the Tuskens in this context don’t delve into such depth or significance as the Fremen. Notably, Dune’s planet stands out as the only one providing spice melange, a crucial substance for space travel in its universe. Despite being virtually uninhabitable to outsiders, the political relevance of this planet is immense due to its unique resource.
Compared to other planets, Tatooine gains significance primarily due to its association with the Skywalker family. Despite being home to Jabba the Hutt’s criminal empire, it remains a relatively insignificant backwater planet that serves as a hideout for smugglers and thieves with minimal impact on the galactic stage. Although Tatooine is linked to the “Star Wars” spice trade, this spice differs significantly from the one highlighted in “Dune.
Both Star Wars and Dune have spice
In the story “Dune,” the mysterious substance known as spice serves as the central force, shaping the entire cosmos. When abundant, it grants individuals a degree of prescience or foresight. This unique ability is what enables the Spacing Guild’s navigators to navigate safely through space voyages across the stars. In “Dune,” advanced machinery that can replicate human intelligence, such as computers, are strictly forbidden. As a result, these gifted humans take on the role of navigational computers in space travel. Characters like Paul Atreides and others display more extraordinary spice effects, such as the ability to perceive across all dimensions of time and space – just everyday occurrences in this universe!
As a devoted Star Wars gamer, I can confidently say that the name “spice” from Dune has undeniably influenced the one found in this universe. Lucasfilm might argue otherwise, but let’s face it – the original spice is no game-changer like its counterpart in Dune. Over the years, its nature has been debated and revised numerous times.
George Lucas made it clear on various occasions that Spice was intended as a drug, which necessitated smugglers to transport it across the galaxy. To present Han Solo as less like a drug dealer to the “Star Wars” audience, certain books and stories suggest that this substance also has beneficial qualities. It is during specific chemical transformations that it becomes harmful or truly illegal.
Both stories have an emperor, a rebellion, and a young hero
In a nutshell, both “Dune” and the original “Star Wars” trilogy share many similarities in their narratives. They both depict a galaxy under the control of a tyrannical empire that employs elite troops, like the Sardaukar from “Dune” and the stormtroopers from “Star Wars,” to maintain its rule. The stories follow young male characters, who are heirs to influential galactic lineages, and they both acquire extraordinary powers to overthrow the oppressive regime. Both Luke Skywalker and Paul Atreides collaborate with a rebellious military force to achieve this goal. Furthermore, a parallel can be drawn between their shared secret familial connections, as Luke discovers Darth Vader is his father, while Paul finds out he is the grandson of baron Vladimir Harkonnen.
In essence, while “Star Wars” adheres to traditional heroic narratives, “Dune” intentionally challenges them. Unlike Luke Skywalker who ultimately maintains his hero status, Paul Atreides in “Dune” evolves into a leader of a new regime, mirroring the very oppressive system he initially rebelled against. This dark transformation is significantly more pronounced in the later books of “Dune,” contrasting with Luke’s relatively lighter journey in the original trilogy and even his subsequent character development in the Disney sequel series.
Frank Herbert wasn’t a fan of George Lucas’ Star Wars
Although George Lucas hasn’t explicitly commented on potential influences from his “Dune” series, Frank Herbert frequently pointed out the resemblances between the two franchises. In an interview with the Associated Press after the debut of “Star Wars” in 1977, Herbert humorously stated, “I will make a concerted effort not to sue.” He went on to suggest that it might be his book “Dune,” as it featured Princess Alia and the film had Princess Leia. Moreover, he noted that there seemed to be a sandworm carcass and dwellers in the desert in both works. In 1985, after Lucas finished his trilogy, Herbert reiterated, “Lucas has never acknowledged taking significant inspiration from ‘Dune,’ and I’m not accusing him of doing so. I’m merely pointing out that there are sixteen points of correspondence between the book ‘Dune’ and ‘Star Wars.’
In a later installment of “Dune,” the author subtly criticized “Star Wars” by referring to inferior copies as “three P-O.” While it’s understandable for authors to feel resentful when their work sparks the success of other franchises, given the enduring popularity of “Dune,” Frank Herbert had little reason for complaint.
Star Wars was inspired by Dune, but it’s also very different
Absolutely, while it’s true that “Star Wars” shares many similarities with “Dune,” it can be argued that it draws inspiration from a multitude of other sources as well. Samurai films, World War II aviation movies, Westerns, and vintage sci-fi series significantly influenced George Lucas and his team. The artwork of Ralph McQuarrie, Colin Cantwell, and others, which shaped the unique visual style of “Star Wars,” was a blend of contemporary military design elements and the gleaming futuristic architecture reminiscent of the Golden Age of science fiction, an era that predates “Dune.
In contrast to Paul Atreides and the Jedi, who possess similar yet distinct forms of psychic ability, their universes and methods of space travel operate independently. Consequently, the characters and structures within these galaxies bear little resemblance. While both series incorporate elements of fantasy to enhance the science fiction, they draw upon different aspects from that genre – feudal systems and political hierarchies in ‘Dune’, and mystical beings like wizards, hermits, and simple farmers in ‘Star Wars.’
A defining characteristic of an exceptional genre tale is its skill in blending various influences into a cohesive whole that appears original. Despite the numerous ways “Star Wars” resembles other works, it excels at this task. This is why fans across diverse areas passionately debate what does and doesn’t embody the “feel” of “Star Wars” whenever Lucasfilm releases a new project.
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2024-12-01 00:30