Christopher Nolan hails “miraculous” ‘Dune: Part Two’ during Q&A with director Denis Villeneuve
Christopher Nolan has hailed Dune: Part Two as “miraculous” in a Q&A with director Denis Villeneuve.
The Oppenheimer director, who was speaking during a recent FYC conversation, was so impressed by the sequel, that he felt it was up there with The Empire Strikes Back.
“I watched the second half and I think it’s a miraculous job of adaptation, of taking that second half and making an incredible conclusion of the story,” Nolan said. “What a remarkable piece of work.”
Nolan added: “If, to me, Dune was like Star Wars, then Dune 2 is The Empire Strikes Back, which is my favourite Star Wars film. I think it’s just a great expansion of all that was introduced in the first one.”
He continued: “What I was really struck by is the sense of immersion in that world. It’s a film that has so many unique images, so many things you’ve never seen before in this movie, time after time, and I was so struck by the detail of everything.”
Nolan also praised Villeneuve for the way he condensed the original story of Frank Herbert‘s 1965 sci-fi novel.
He went on: “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.”
Elsewhere, Villeneuve recently explained why he isn’t keen on directing a Star Wars film.
He said: “Star Wars became crystallised in its own mythology, very dogmatic, it seemed like a recipe, no more surprises. So I’m not dreaming to do a Star Wars because it feels like code is very codified.”
Dune: Part Two was released earlier this year, and NME gave it a four-star review, writing: “If there’s an issue with Dune: Part Two, it’s only that the ending feels a little rushed, considering the near six-hour build-up over the past two movies. At any rate, the door is left wide open for a third instalment, and Villeneuve has already indicated his willingness to continue with an adaptation of Herbert’s sequel: Dune Messiah, should Part Two rake in enough spicy space cash, so there may well be more to come. In the meantime, make sure you see this on the biggest, loudest screen you can find.”
Meanwhile, Charlize Theron recently joined the cast for Nolan’s next project.
She joins Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o and Robert Pattinson.
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Damian Jones
NME
