This year is shaping up to be a big year for the “Dune” franchisee. “Dune: Part Two” was an absolutely massive success at the box office and with critics. The film is likely going to be a major awards contender, as well. Now, we’re just days away from the premiere of the first spinoff, “Dune: Prophecy,” which is coming to HBO.

Continue reading HBO’s Casey Bloys Says ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Season 2 Is In Development at The Playlist.

Quentin Tarantino doesn’t mince words or shies away from sharing his opinion. One way to sum up the filmmaker’s attitude (and ego) is that, it’s generally considered déclassé and gauche in Hollywood to shit on another director’s work (Paul Thomas Anderson’s quote on the matter about not bad-mouthing salient). Yet for years, Tarantino used to make a top ten list of his favorite films, make them public and also, in that list, usually take the opportunity to mention his most hated film of the year too and often criticize movies harshly. 

Continue reading Quentin Tarantino Dislikes Remakes; Refuses To Watch Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’ Movies, ‘Shōgun’ & More at The Playlist.

It makes sense that fans of the two “Dune” films would want Denis Villeneuve to continue to make movies in that franchise forever. He has already done what many people thought impossible—make “Dune” a huge hit. Sadly, the filmmaker has said that he is only interested in making one more film in the franchise. However, Villeneuve is more than happy to tease more stories in the ‘Dune’ universe for other filmmakers to tackle. 

Continue reading Denis Villeneuve Is Happy To Plant “Seeds” In ‘Dune: Messiah’ So The Franchise Can Keep Going Without Him at The Playlist.

There’s no denying that “Dune” is a hot franchise, at the moment. Thanks to two incredible films, retelling the story of Frank Herbert’s iconic novel, there are more fans of “Dune” than ever before. Sounds like a good time to expand that franchise, huh?

READ MORE: Summer TV Preview: Over 35 Must-See Series To Watch

As seen in the teaser for “Dune: Prophecy,” the first spinoff goes back in time 10,000 years to showcase the birth of the Bene Gesserit.

Continue reading ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Trailer: Witness The Creation Of The Bene Gesserit In Max’s Spinoff Series at The Playlist.

After three weeks in theaters, “Dune: Part Two” currently reigns as the top-grossing film of 2024 with $512.1 million globally. That’s about $80 million more total gross than its 2021 predecessor, and guarantees Warner Bros. will greenlight “Dune: Messiah,” right? Not so fast. Empire reports that director Denis Villeneuve wants to make a third “Dune” film, but he needs an extended break from the first (and an idea that makes it “real” and “relevant”).  

Continue reading ‘Dune: Messiah’: Denis Villeneuve Says He’ll Make Sequel Only If “It’s Going To Be Better Than ‘Part Two'” at The Playlist.

If we’re going to praise the visual rapture of Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” movies—and we should—and in particular, the newly released “Dune: Part Two,” there’s no conversation that can happen without mention of Academy Award-winning cinematographer Greig Fraser, who won his first Oscar for “Dune” in 2022.

READ MORE: Denis Villeneuve Calls ‘Dune: Part Two’ A “Dark Tragedy,” Talks Potential ‘Messiah’ Sequel & More [Interview]

While “Dune: Part Two” is genuinely unanimously praised by critics (read our review here)—and this weekend, it grossed $178.5 million worldwide, and with $81 domestic, that’s the biggest opening since “Barbie”— it does have a small group of detractors.

Continue reading Cinematographer Greig Fraser Talks ‘Dune: Part Two,’ The Volume & Says ‘Batman: Part II’ Will Be “Amazing” at The Playlist.

Swedish filmmaker Johan Renck’s sci-fi relationship cosmonaut movie, “Spaceman,” starring Adam Sandler, is out in the universe and on Netflix now (read our review). A type of existential lonely astronaut in space drama that co-stars Paul Dano and Carey Mulligan— one of the most left-of-field movies Adam Sandler has ever made—I spoke to him about that film at length here.

Continue reading Johan Renck Says ‘Dune: Prophecy’ “Completely Changed” & Explains The Drawback Of TV “Committee” Filmmaking at The Playlist.

Before we get into some recent quotes about the end of “Dune: Part Two” made by Denis Villeneuve, it’s important to know that nothing said in this piece will be considered a spoiler. That said, if you want to be completely fresh, then you probably shouldn’t read and just go watch the sequel and be amazed by what happens. For those who remain, let’s talk about why Denis Villeneuve is sticking close to the end of the original “Dune” novel, for better or worse.

Continue reading ‘Dune: Part Two’: Denis Villeneuve Is Proud Of His “Very Powerful Ending” But Admits It’s A Bit Of A Cliffhanger at The Playlist.

We’re still about a month away from the long-awaited release of “Dune: Part Two.” After the massive success of the first film, both financially and critically, there are many expecting the sequel to be nothing short of a sci-fi masterpiece. Well, that praise is still premature, but the hype does have people expecting a quick announcement from the studio about the already-in-development “Dune: Messiah,” which would be the third and final chapter of Denis Villeneueve’s ‘Dune’ trilogy.

Continue reading ‘Dune: Messiah’: Timothée Chalamet & Zendaya Are “Super Enthusiastic” About Returning For A 3rd Film at The Playlist.

Initially due in November 2023, Denis Villeneuve’s next installment within the Oscar-winning “Dune” franchise is obviously not arriving until March 15, 2024. “Dune: Part Two” is expected to wrap up the first adaptation of the Frank Herbert series of sci-fi fantasy novels that inspired things like “Star Wars.” In the second chapter of this saga, Oscar-nominated actor Austin Butler (“Elvis”) plays Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the violent rival of Paul Atreides.

Continue reading ‘Dune: Part Two’ Star Austin Butler Calls Denis Villeneuve “One Of The Greatest Filmmakers Alive” at The Playlist.

Though it is expected that “Dune: Part Two” (now scheduled for a 2024 release date) will finish the story of Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel, it really isn’t the full story arc for the lead character, Paul Atreides. You see, the sequel novel, “Dune: Messiah,” is really the end-end of the story, finishing up the arc for Paul and showing the true effect of the character’s place in Arrakis.

Continue reading Denis Villeneuve Says A Third ‘Dune’ Film “Would Be The Dream” & Teases Work Has Already Started Developing It at The Playlist.

After years and years of writing comedy films with mixed success (for every “Hangover” there’s a “Superhero Movie”), Craig Mazin has found his place as one of the best creators on television, thanks to the success of both “Chernobyl” and “The Last of Us.” And apparently, with his renewed passion for TV, it appears he’s willing to put the film business behind him.

Continue reading ‘Dune: Part Two’: ‘The Last Of Us’ Showrunner Craig Mazin Says He Worked On Denis Villeneuve’s Sci-Fi Sequel at The Playlist.

It would appear that Warner Bros. Discovery is changing things up with the release of “Dune: Part Two” later this year. Unlike the previous film in the franchise, there won’t be a flashy Venice Film Festival debut to build buzz for the film. Instead, it appears the studio might have something else up its sleeve. We just don’t know what that is, yet.

READ MORE: ‘Dune: Part Two’: Dave Bautista Says Austin Butler Is “Terrifying” As Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen In Upcoming Sequel

According to Deadline, “Dune: Part Two” won’t be making its debut at this year’s Venice Film Festival.

Continue reading ‘Dune: Part Two’ Won’t Have A Venice Debut But Could Still Show Up At A Later Festival at The Playlist.

If you want proof of how badly HBO Max wants the “Dune” franchise to succeed, look no further than the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the spinoff TV series, “Dune: The Sisterhood.” Before the most recent news (more on this in a second), the series has already gone through multiple showrunners (Jon Spaihts, Dana Calvo, and creator Diane Ademu-John have all stepped away) over the years it’s been in development.

Continue reading ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’ Loses Director & One Of The Lead Actors As Series Pauses Production at The Playlist.

Dave Bautista has a very busy 2023 ahead of him, with four movies starring him set to premiere. First up, M. Night Shyamalan‘s latest “Knock At The Cabin,” which hits theaters today. And a little further on the horizon, “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3” on May 5, and “Parachute,” set for its world premiere at SXSW 2023 in March.

Continue reading ‘Dune: Part Two’: Dave Bautista Says Austin Butler Is “Terrifying” As Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen In Upcoming Sequel at The Playlist.

Legendary’s ‘Dune” franchise is steadily growing. Denis Villeneuve is returning to helm “Dune: Part Two,” the second half of the first Frank Herbert novel, with tentative plans to potentially adapt the second book “Dune Messiah” to round out a trilogy. Meanwhile, Legendary and HBO Max have teamed up to explore the “Dune” mythology with a prequel series, “Dune: The Sisterhood.” After multiple hiccups and delays there seems to be a solid motion on that streaming series as it started film.

Continue reading ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’ Spinoff HBO Max Series Finally Begins Shooting & Co-Showrunner Diane Ademu-John Exits at The Playlist.

If you were thinking that the cast for “Dune: The Sisterhood” is full of too many women, then A) you’re a horrible person and B) don’t worry, Travis Fimmel is here to add some testosterone to the spinoff series. 

According to Variety, Travis Fimmel is the latest actor to join the growing cast of “Dune: The Sisterhood.” The upcoming spinoff series is set thousands of years before “Dune: Part One” and tells the story of the creation of the Bene Gesserit group.

Continue reading ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’: Travis Fimmel Joins The Cast Of The Prequel Sci-Fi Series at The Playlist.

While Denis Villeneuve is off in the desert working on “Dune: Part Two,” it appears that HBO Max is moving full steam ahead with its first spinoff series, “Dune: The Sisterhood.” After months of development, we now know the two of the actors who will be leading the cast.

READ MORE: ‘Dune: Part Two’: Léa Seydoux Joins The Cast Of Denis Villeneuve’s Sci-Fi Sequel

According to Variety, Emily Watson and Shirley Henderson have been cast in lead roles for the upcoming series, “Dune: The Sisterhood.” Based on the novel “Sisterhood of Dune,” Watson will play Valya Harkonnen, and Henderson will play Tula Harkonnen in a story about two sisters who join forces and begin the work to create the Bene Gesserit.

Continue reading ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’: Emily Watson & Shirley Henderson To Lead The Cast Of HBO Max Spinoff Series at The Playlist.

As if the “Dune” franchise wasn’t already stacked with A-listers, it appears that filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is pulling out all of the stops for his upcoming sequel, bringing in plenty more stars. And his latest addition to the ‘Dune’ franchise is one of the best actresses working today.

According to Deadline, Léa Seydoux has been cast as Lady Margot in the upcoming “Dune: Part Two,” which is scheduled to be released next year.

Continue reading ‘Dune: Part Two’: Léa Seydoux Joins The Cast Of Denis Villeneuve’s Sci-Fi Sequel at The Playlist.

“Dune: Part Two” director Denis Villeneuve has finally found an actor to play Emperor Shaddam IV, the shadowy villainous figure that rules the “Dune” galaxy and essentially was behind the massacre of House Atreides as he saw Duke Leto Atreides as an impending threat to his throne.

Deadline reports that Oscar-winner Christopher Walken has landed the role, which is near perfect casting given the actor’s great body of work playing ruthless but quirky villains.

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Last year’s Academy Awards was scaled-back, and while the pandemic isn’t over yet, you wouldn’t know it from how this year’s Oscars ceremony was put together along with serving alcohol to maskless celebrities, which might have been a poor choice in the wake of the BAFTAs turning into a super-spreader event. Then again, COVID-19 won’t likely end up being the most talked-about aspect of the awards.

READ MORE: Oscars 2022: The Snubs & Surprises

Highlights from the winner speeches include Jessica Chastain taking the Best Actress statue for “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” and spending her acceptance speech calling out the “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

Continue reading Oscars 2022: Watch All The Winner Acceptance Speeches at The Playlist.

The Oscars were back in the Dolby Theater this year with social distancing and eight categories presented before the live show even began. While there was a joke about Samuel L. Jackson in hosts Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes‘ opening bit, his Oscar moment presented by Denzel Washington, along with all the other Honorary Oscars were similarly not presented live. Despite containing one of the most WTF moments in Oscar history, the show oscillated between dragging and feeling weirdly chaotic.

Continue reading Oscars 2022: The Snubs & Surprises at The Playlist.

After a long and predictably fraught journey, Oscar season finally came to an end tonight in a wild ceremony hosted by Regina Hall, Wanda Sikes, and Amy Schumer. In an effort to attract more viewers and make more time for “entertainment,” as Oscar producer Will Packer put it, the show cut eight categories from the main broadcast. Jumbling things further, those eight categories and their speeches were then edited into the live broadcast in brief intervals, making one wonder what the point was, given the show actually ran longer than last year.

Continue reading Oscars 2022: ‘CODA’ Wins Best Picture, ‘Dune’ Takes 6 Awards [Full Winners List] at The Playlist.

It’s hard to have a better start to a year than cinematographer Greig Fraser. After starting the year with a slew of critical accolades for his work on Matt Reeves‘s “The Batman,” Fraser has now taken home the 2022 Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Denis Villeneuve‘s adaptation of “Dune.” This is the second nomination for Fraser after 2016’s “Lion” and his first victory.

Continue reading Greig Fraser Wins First Cinematography Oscar For ‘Dune’ at The Playlist.

It’s the middle of Oscar voting, “CODA’s” win at the PGA Awards has everyone buzzing and we’re exactly one week away from the big show. Sunday, March 20 features the last day of guild honors. The American Society of Cinematographers was the last to hand out their awards and, not surprisingly, the top prize went to Greig Fraser for “Dune.”

READ MORE: “CODA” takes the top prize at the 2022 PGA Awards

Fraser beat out Ari Wegner (“The Powerof the Dog”), Dan Lausten (“Nightmare Alley”), Bruno Delbonnel (“The Tragedy of Macbeth”) and Haris Zambarloukos (“Belfast”).

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