DUNE: Part Two - The Popcorn Junkies Movie Review (SPOILERS)

Popcorn Junkies Movie Reviews

Dune: Part Two is a 2024 American epic science fiction film produced by Legendary Pictures, directed by Denis Villeneuve (who co-produced and co-wrote the screenplay with Jon Spaihts), and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The sequel to Dune (2021), it is the second of a two-part adaptation of the 1965 novel Dune by Frank Herbert. It follows Paul Atreides as he unites with the Fremen people of the desert planet Arrakis to wage war against House Harkonnen. Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem reprise their roles from the first film, with Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, and Souheila Yacoub joining the ensemble cast. Development began after Legendary Pictures acquired film and television rights for Dune in 2016. Villeneuve signed on as director for the film in 2017, with the intention of making a two-part adaptation of the novel due to its complexity. Production contracts were only secured for a first film, with the second film having to be green-lit based on the first's success. Though Villeneuve was concerned about the sequel's certainty after the first film had a simultaneous theatrical and HBO Max release, Warner Bros. Pictures assured him the sequel would happen if it performed well on HBO Max. After the critical and commercial success of the first film, Warner Bros. and Legendary green-lit Dune: Part Two in October 2021. Most of the new cast members were announced in 2022. Principal photography took place in Budapest, Italy, Jordan and Abu Dhabi between July and December 2022. Dune: Part Two was scheduled for a November 3, 2023 release, but was delayed due to the Hollywood labor disputes. The film had its world premiere at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City on February 6, 2024 and was released in the United States on March 1, 2024. It has grossed over $182 million worldwide, making it the fifth highest-grossing film of 2024, and received praise from critics.