Ridley Scott’s Long-Lost ‘Dune’ Script Details Have Been Revealed

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As a movie enthusiast who has spent countless hours delving into the intricacies of science fiction and fantasy films, I find myself captivated by the what-ifs of unrealized cinematic visions. The resurfacing of Ridley Scott’s abandoned 1980 adaptation of Frank Herbert’s “Dune” has certainly piqued my interest.

In a different turn of events, it was Ridley Scott, renowned director after the success of ‘Alien’ in 1984, who initially took on the challenge to adapt Frank Herbert’s iconic novel ‘Dune’. However, instead he chose to direct the legendary noir thriller ‘Blade Runner’, leaving fans of the ‘Dune’ franchise pondering what a film from him would have been like. Now, the script for the aborted 1980 adaptation of ‘Dune’ has been discovered, and it promises an extraordinary storyline.

In 1980, a previously unknown 133-page draft of the novel “Dune,” written by Rudy Wurlitzer, was discovered by T.D. Nguyen (via IGN) in the archives of Coleman Luck at Wheaton College. Over the years, director Ridley Scott had mentioned his brief involvement with this project, but both the book’s author and the studio didn’t find it favorable. The recently discovered details from this draft make it questionable whether fans would have been thrilled with Scott’s adaptation of “Dune.” For example, the movie begins with a seven-year-old Paul Atreides, who has blond hair, undergoing tests by the Reverend Mother using the pain box, similar to how it appears in the Denis Villeneuve films. After passing this grueling test, the story would then jump ahead to him as a 21-year-old.

In my perspective as a Dune enthusiast, there are significant variations between the novel, previous adaptations, and David Lynch’s shelved version of the film. For instance, the character Duncan Idaho, portrayed by Jason Momoa in the 2021 movie, assumes Gurney Halleck’s role as Paul Atreides’ mentor, a part played by Josh Brolin in the recent adaptation. Interestingly, certain elements of the Scott-directed project echo Lynch’s film, such as the introduction of the Guild Navigator, a “spice-altered creature” omitted from the latest productions. Furthermore, I’m grateful that the non-canon incest storyline between Paul Atreides and his mother, which was present in earlier drafts, was absent from the 1980 script. For die-hard Dune fans, there are numerous intriguing details to discover in IGN’s comprehensive analysis of the script, including conversations between key characters.

Everything Happens for a Reason

In a departure from Ridley Scott’s potential take, Denis Villeneuve has successfully brought Frank Herbert’s legendary novels “Dune” and its sequel “Dune: Part Two” to the big screen, managing to preserve the core narrative while introducing unique adaptations. One significant departure is how Paul’s sister is depicted on-screen. Nevertheless, the film versions, particularly the first “Dune,” seem to be the most faithful portrayal of Herbert’s intricate work that viewers may ever witness.

Regardless of any criticisms leveled at David Lynch for his ‘Dune’ film, it’s fascinating to consider what might have been different if Scott had taken on that project instead. Instead, Scott directed ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘Legend’ in 1985, with Tom Cruise and Tim Curry starring in the latter. Despite some controversy surrounding ‘Dune’, its fanbase remains strong. As Denis Villeneuve prepares for a third ‘Dune’ installment, it’s worth reflecting on the path not taken and appreciating that Frank Herbert’s work is being faithfully adapted today, with its influence continuing to grow since its debut in 1965.

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2024-12-13 22:32