‘Dune’ is the anti-Star Wars for 1 massively depressing purpose

In excess of the yrs, Dune has gained comparisons to all the things from the Lord of the Rings to Star Wars. But Denis Villeneuve’s approaching adaptation of the beloved Frank Herbert novel will likely be absolutely nothing like a run-of-the-mill fantasy epic. And the explanation why is confident to shock moviegoers later on this 12 months.

Dune is not a “hero’s journey” narrative. The heroes triumph in extremely specific methods, but the gentle at the conclusion of its darkish narrative tunnel isn’t what you imagine.

Just lately, Dune star Jason Momoa unveiled what he imagined of an early screening of the movie. Talking to Jimmy Fallon, Momoa claimed, “It’s a quite grownup film… but so beautiful.”

This remark is telling. Even even though Dune is reportedly rated PG-13, audiences could possibly want to buckle up for a reasonably darkish, unrelenting take on the sci-fi epic. Here’s why. Spoilers for the Dune novels, and perhaps the 2021 motion picture, head.

Dune will reportedly be rated PG-13, which implies a tonal darkness in line with movies like Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith or Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. In conditions of graphic violence, that is possibly genuine.

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But in mild of Momoa’s opinions, it makes perception to assume that Dune will be the bleakest sci-fi epic most likely at any time — at minimum for a movie of its dimension. Even the David Lynch-directed Dune finished on a considerably triumphant take note, switching activities from the novel so Paul Atreides can make it rain on the desert planet of Arrakis.

But Villeneuve’s Dune will be darkish for a fairly obvious purpose that enthusiasts of the reserve have possible already guessed. The most effective character in the story, not to point out the coolest, will practically unquestionably be killed at some place during the movie, brutally so. If you have not study the publications, appear absent right before this following spoiler.

Jason Momoa’s Duncan will die in Dune

In the novel Dune, Duncan Idaho, a grasp swordsman for Dwelling Atreides, is killed by Harkonnens soon after Duke Leto is betrayed and attacked in his new fortress on Arrakis. This is a pivotal turning position that arrives inside of the initial 3rd of the novel. The dying of Duncan happens generally “off-screen” in the e book, but make no oversight: Duncan does die. This will virtually certainly materialize in the motion picture, much too.

You might be saying, “Who cares?” Is not Duncan like the Obi-Wan Kenobi determine to Paul Atreides’ Luke Skywalker? Well, no. Not really. Duncan Idaho dying halfway through Dune, or toward the end of the film, would be additional akin to Han Solo dying when rescuing Princess Leia from the Demise Star. In other terms, it will be a bummer. It will make us experience unhappy. It will make the entire world of Dune sense unsafe, and that is the place.

Momoa advised Kimmel he noticed this movie with his youngsters. And when he stated that, he winced, stating that it was “the first time I received to see one thing like that with my little ones.”

Supplied that Duncan is killed in the novel, it stands to explanation the Momoas could have just sat through an early screening in which the actor’s character is murdered on monitor. This is not Aquaman, just after all. Keep in mind when Boromir will take all individuals arrows in The Fellowship of the Ring? It’s a very good bet Duncan’s loss of life will be like that. But unlike Boromir, Duncan did not do everything mistaken. He’s a hero who sacrifices himself to preserve the people he enjoys (and individuals he performs for).

Dune is the anti-Star Wars

Even though in later books, Duncan Idaho is introduced back again to lifestyle by different clones termed “gholas,” it’s not like his spirit is likely to be guiding young Paul into the (potential) Dune sequels. Loss of life is lasting in Dune in a way it normally is not in other fantasy or sci-fi epics.

Yes, specified figures can inherit the recollections of other people who’ve died. And yes, Duncan is pretty significantly the only major character who can make appearances in all the guides. But his best fate in Dune is rather brutal.

The fighters of Residence Atreides wield knives and swords, not simply because other weapons never exist but since they experience like such intimate equipment are suitable for inflicting deadly blows. The philosophy of the Dune publications when it will come to action is pretty comparable. Any time anything violent or explosive normally takes spot, it is for a real looking motive. Not like Star Wars, Dune is not a sci-fi epic overrun with pew-pew laser bolts. Which is most likely what Momoa usually means when he said it’s an “adult” motion picture.

Perfectly, that and his (likely) onscreen death.

Dune hits theaters and HBO Max on Oct 1, 2021.