When one of the greatest filmmakers in history starts talking up a sci-fi franchise, people listen. And right now, Steven Spielberg is putting a lot of love behind Denis Villeneuve’s take on Dune.
As Spielberg gears up for his own return to science fiction with Disclosure Day, he’s also making it clear that Villeneuve’s desert epic has left a serious impression on him… and he’s already hyped for what comes next.
Spielberg recently shared just how much the films have stuck with him, saying:
“Recently, I’ve loved the ‘Dune’ movies. They are among my favorite science-fiction movies, not just recently, but of all time. Especially the second film. I think [Part Two] is the best movie Denis has ever made. I cannot wait to see the third one. I’m sure he’ll show it to me early. I’m such a fan of his.”
That’s high praise coming from the director of some of the greatest films ever made. Spielberg isn’t just casually enjoying these movies, he’s putting them in the upper tier of the entire sci-fi genre.
He also pointed out what makes Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s work resonate so strongly. Staying true to the spirit of the source material clearly matters to him:
“I love the [Dune] books, and I just think his tribute to the books is like Guillermo [del Toro]’s tribute to Mary Shelley with Frankenstein: he honored Mary Shelley as I think Denis honored Frank Herbert.”
This isn’t the first time Spielberg has gone all-in on praising Villeneuve’s work. After Dune: Part Two hit theaters, he joined the director for a Q&A and didn’t hold back:
“Let me start by saying there are filmmakers who are the builders of worlds. It’s not a long list and we know who a lot of them are. Starting with [Georges] Méliès and Disney and Kubrick, George Lucas. Ray Harryhausen I include in that list. Fellini built his own worlds.
“Tim Burton. Obviously Wes Anderson, Peter Jackson, James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, Guillermo del Toro.
“The list goes on but it’s not that long of a list, and I deeply, fervently believe that you are one of its newest members…And that scene surfing the sandworms is one of the greatest things I have ever seen. Ever!”
Spielberg is basically placing Villeneuve alongside icons like George Lucas, Stanley Kubrick, and James Cameron when it comes to world building, filmmakers who didn’t just tell stories but created entire cinematic experiences that people get lost in.
Christopher Nolan also weighed in around the release of Dune: Part Two, highlighting how the film approached adaptation in a way most don’t:
“I think it’s a miraculous job of adaptation, of taking that second half and making an incredible conclusion of the story… Most adaptations, it’s a process of condensing things and simplifying things.
“My feeling in watching both films, in particular the second film, is that this was an act of exploring a little further and burrowing into the complications and embracing those and the world building beyond even what’s in the book.”
With Dune: Part Three on the way, based on Dune Messiah, the anticipation is only building. Meanwhile, Spielberg’s own sci-fi return Disclosure Day hits theaters on June 12, while Dune: Part Three is set to land on December 18.
It’s shaping up to be a great year for fans of big, imaginative science fiction, especially when filmmakers at this level are this excited about each other’s work.
Via: Variety
