Dune Seeks To Reach the Top Of the US Box Office
The new adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel is fast leading the US box office within days of its premiere. Here is everything you need to know about Dune .
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune has become a hit at the US box office, to date its grossing is $ 41 million at the domestic box office less than a week after its release. Photo: IG-movieushermx
LatinAmerican Post | Luis Angel Hernández Liborio
Listen to this article
Leer en español: Dune busca consolidarse en la cima de la taquilla estadounidense
Denis Villeneuve's Dune has become a hit at the US box office. To date, its gross is $ 41 million at the domestic box office less than a week after its premiere and $ 182 in the world for a total of $ 223 million, according to with data from Box Office Mojo. These numbers are encouraging for the industry seeking to recover from the effects of the pandemic. The new adaptation of the Frank Herbert classic has generated great expectations because the director has promised that it is faithful to the original novel, something that excites fans of the saga.
Dune: Part 1
The young Paul Atreides, heir to the house that bears his name, sees how the success of his family threatens the imperial power and that of other royal houses. This will unleash a conspiracy against his father, Duke Leto Atreides, which begins with the order to move his family to remote Arrakis. This planet, despite its desert conditions, is the source of the mysterious melange, an element used by humans as a drug and as a vital part of travel, which makes it indispensable. Paul must face his new reality, learn from his stay on Arrakis and discover himself in order to face his main enemies: the Harkonnen house and the power of the emperor.
You can also read: Timothée Chalamet's Versatility will dazzle in "Wonka"
The great challenge of Dune
Dune is a big bet in the industry, to begin with, it is a novel that is part of an important saga of science fiction, it is not a minor thing. The complexity in the stories and the way the books were created make it scary for any director wishing to adapt it. That has been the great challenge of this film, which has led a team led by Denis Villeneuve to take on the task of bringing Dune's universe to the screen. Due to its structure as a saga, it could be equated with the audacity of bringing Star Wars (with which it is usually compared) or The Lord of the Rings to the screen.
Denis Villeneuve shows his experience obtained especially in Arrival (2016) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017) both based on literary works and both about science fiction. In addition, Dune has a version released in 1984 and directed by the legendary David Lynch (The Elephant Man, Twin Peaks) from which Villeneuve wanted to distance himself in the search for greater fidelity to the original novel. The 2021 version is impressive on screen, it is advisable to go to see it in theaters and not wait for the streaming experience, the effect of the majesty of the Arrakis landscapes and the color management will be difficult to emulate on the small screen. This is one of his great successes, all the art that is found in the costumes, the settings, the vehicles and everything that is seen on the screen that tries to be faithful to the novel, a very particular universe.
As if that were not enough, the cast is full of actors with experience and trajectory that will definitely attract the general public to Dune. Of course, one of the most sought-after names in Hollywood stands out: Timothée Chalamet, who plays Paul Atreides, a born leader who must fulfill the role of messianic hero to which he is destined. Oscar Isaac and Rebecca Ferguson play Paul's parents: Leto and Jessica Atreides, respectively. Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, with a major role as an ally to the inexperienced Paul and loyal to House Atreides. Stellan Skarsgård plays the enemy of the Atreides, Vladimir Harkonnen, while Zendaya is Chandi, a young Fremen (a native of Arrakis) who will help Paul integrate into this town, among other important names. There is still the question of who will play the jealous Emperor Shaddam IV in the second part.
The references to the desert and messianic leadership remind us of the civilizations of the Middle East, so you will visually find similarities between the different characters and places, as well as the European ruling houses. If you have seen Game of Thrones you will understand the complexity of plots, characters, betrayals, and enmities that can arise between royal houses. The experience is completed by the music of Hans Zimmer, known for his collaborations with Christopher Nolan and for his music for superhero films. His electronic style that is integrated with the symphony orchestra and traditional instruments from the Middle East connects us immediately with that region of the world adding to the mysticism of this story.
