Famous director Christopher Nolan described Dune 2 as an extraordinary work and a miraculous adaptation.
Nolan emphasized at a DGA panel with Villeneuve that the experience of being immersed in the world of the film really stands out. “What really struck me was the feeling of being immersed in that world,” he said. “There are so many unique images, so many things that you’ve never seen before, and in this movie, over and over again, I was just blown away by the detail of everything.”
Words of Praise for Dune 2
Nolan also took issue with the fact that the main character in the Dune universe goes by many names (Usul, Muad’Dib, Paul, Lisan al Gaib, and Kwisatz Haderach), but also acknowledged its importance. He noted that book adaptations usually simplify things, but in Dune 2 the opposite happens, diving deeper into the story and expanding the universe with more complex aspects.
His most striking comment was that he compared Dune 2 to Star Wars: “For me, if Dune is like Star Wars, Dune 2 is like Empire Strikes Back, which is my favorite Star Wars movie. I think it’s a great expansion of everything that was introduced in the first movie.”
Stating that he was surprised by Nolan’s praise, Villeneuve said, “This is a comparison that I would never dare to make myself. I think it is a nice compliment because Empire Strikes Back is by far my favorite Star Wars movie. So from Chris [Nolan] “It’s an incredible compliment,” he replied.
Dune 2, which grossed $700 million worldwide, became one of the highest-earning films of 2024. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%, the film had a very high score and numerous positive reviews even before the premiere. The third Dune movie, Dune: Messiah, is in development and is expected to be released in 2026.