The Dune TV Show Just Made a Change, and Fans Should Be Excited

by

Summary

  • Dune: Prophecy
    moved from Max to HBO, signaling a shift towards prestige television for the series.
  • HBO aims to establish
    Dune
    as the next big fantasy series, filling gaps between major tentpole shows.
  • Dune: Prophecy
    offers new material for fans, shedding light on the origins of the Bene Gesserit with a star-studded cast.

As a long-time fan of the intricately woven worlds and complex characters found within the realm of science fiction and fantasy, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I heard that HBO was developing a new series based on Frank Herbert’s iconic “Dune” universe. Having grown up engrossed in the pages of the original novels, I’ve eagerly anticipated each new adaptation and expansion of this rich storyline.

Following the debut of Denis Villeneuve’s initial “Dune” film in 2021, the franchise’s continuation remained somewhat uncertain. The first movie brought in a respectable $407 million at the global box office. Yet, gauging its true success was challenging due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a simultaneous release on HBO Max (now known as Max). Nevertheless, several positive aspects of the first “Dune” film encouraged Warner Bros. and Legendary to press on with the franchise.

Two fresh takes on the classic “Dune” story emerged from this new venture, delighting fans in various ways. The initial offering, “Dune: Part Two,” directed by Villeneuve, surpassed expectations following the success of its predecessor, raking in massive box office revenues and earning critical acclaim, positioning itself as a strong contender for numerous awards during the upcoming Oscar season. The second addition, named “Dune: Prophecy,” is yet to be released, but recent developments surrounding the series provide grounds for excitement among enthusiasts. Here’s what we currently know.

Dune: Prophecy Is Moving to HBO

When the announcement of “Dune: Prophecy” was made public, it was initially titled “Dune: The Sisterhood” and intended as an original production for Max, WB’s streaming platform. This meant that the show would be classified as a “Max Original,” joining other series like “Peacemaker,” “Our Flag Means Death,” and “Raised by Wolves.” However, due to strategic changes within WB, this “Max Original” label has been discarded, and the program is now aligned under HBO’s umbrella – a renowned television network owned by WB.

As a passionate gamer and avid viewer of new and exciting shows, I was thrilled when Dune: Prophecy was announced as part of the “Max Originals” lineup. But recently, I’ve heard some intriguing news – this show, along with others like DC’s Lanterns and The Penguin, IT prequel Welcome to Derry, and the controversial Harry Potter reboot from WB, have all been moved from “Max Originals” to “HBO Originals.”

HBO Max’s decision to make their shows available beyond HBO’s television subscribers involves more than just expansion. The reputation and credibility that HBO has earned over decades in producing top-notch serialized stories sets it apart from Max. This esteemed status makes some skeptical about the wisdom of WB renaming HBO Max to simply “Max” in May 2023, but recent indications suggest that HBO may now aim to associate its respected name with a broader collection of high-budget television programming.

Establishing Dune as HBO’s Next Big Fantasy Series

Regarding the role of “Dune: Prophecy” in this shift, it’s evident that WB aims to bridge the spaces between HBO’s major hit shows as effectively as possible. Shows such as “House of the Dragon” and “The Last of Us” have gained significant popularity but also feature long hiatuses between seasons. Fans of these shows have had to endure waits of at least two years between the first and second seasons. By incorporating productions like “Dune: Prophecy” and “The Penguin” into HBO’s portfolio, WB is utilizing the opportunity to provide more high-budget franchise series during the gaps in HBO’s schedule.

With the second season of “House of the Dragon” coming to an end on HBO in early August, “Dune: Prophecy” is being hyped as the next big fantasy series to binge-watch. Following the conclusion of “The Game of Thrones” spin-off, “The Penguin,” which premieres in mid-September, “Dune: Prophecy” will take center stage in November.

HBO and WB anticipate that “The Penguin” will maintain viewer interest, but with a significantly different feel from its previous tone and genre. On the other hand, “Dune: Prophecy” aims to transport viewers back into the captivating world of high-fantasy through its fresh narrative, which unfolds thousands of years prior to Paul Atreides’ birth. This upcoming “Dune” series may satisfy HBO fans’ cravings for fantasy before returning to the “Game of Thrones” universe with the premiere of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” a new prequel/spin-off scheduled for 2025.

What This Means for Dune’s Future

HBO’s “Dune: Prophecy” not only holds the responsibility of keeping viewers hooked during the breaks between major HBO series, but it also intends to rejuvenate the “Dune” franchise, contributing significantly until Denis Villeneuve begins work on the third installment in his trilogy. Villeneuve’s next project, an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s second “Dune” novel, “Dune Messiah,” might be released as early as 2026. However, there are indications that Villeneuve may choose to direct another film prior to returning for “Dune: Part Three.” This decision could potentially push back the arrival of the third chapter in his trilogy by a few more years.

Prophecy” aims to reveal more details about their origin and significant role in the “Dune” universe. Starring renowned actors such as Emily Watson, Mark Strong, Travis Fimmel, and Olivia Williams, this series is already generating considerable buzz.

WB and HBO’s production of “Dune: Prophecy” as an HBO series indicates a strong interest from WB to explore more of the “Dune” universe beyond the initial film trilogy directed by Villeneuve. Frank Herbert wrote six books in total for the “Dune” series, and his son Brian Herbert, along with Kevin J. Anderson, have authored numerous additional titles. “Dune: Prophecy,” to some extent, is based on one of these collaborative novels, specifically “Sisterhood of Dune” published in 2012. Villeneuve’s films are expected to focus primarily on the events from Herbert’s first two books. By introducing “Dune: Prophecy,” WB and HBO provide an opportunity to delve into the vast array of stories that exist within the “Dune” series. Both “Dune” and “Dune: Prophecy” can be found on Max, with the latter set for release in November 2024.

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2024-07-25 23:01