Podcast Cohost Lauren 6/22/2023

An incredibly influential science fiction series, Frank Herbert’s Dune (1965), received a movie adaptation in 2021. And maybe other sci-fi fans are asking why did it take me two years to watch the movie–wasn’t it really hyped?: I was suspicious of the casting of the current most popular actors from all the action, and particularly super-hero, flicks. And possibly you are wondering will I compare it to the 1984 film?: no, I tried to watch the for television cut twice and could not make it all the way through. So why did I gleefully stir up (not shake) some martinis, lay out the snack trays, and trap Izzy and Zach (of ForeverClassic Podcast and also my spouse) in a room to watch a two-and-a-half hour movie that is only a part 1? Because I needed an excuse to rant about all the characters and concepts from the greater Dune franchise that absolutely show up in my favorite video game: more on that later.

There are some changes to the source material that left me with questions, but I found this first trip to Arrakis compelling. Our protagonist, Paul Atreides, is played by Timothee Chamalet as an eager young dukeling. The slight romantic lead was not how I envisioned the grandson of bullfighter Paulus Atreides, but starting with the image of a refined nobleman’s son may convey his journey into manhood among the Fremen better to a movie audience. Zendaya of MJ fame takes the role of Paul’s love interest Chani. Most of the film her role is to show up in Paul’s dreams cryptically. This establishes his budding prescience and happens enough to become an irritant. Her most establishing interaction is to hand Paul a crysknife before his fight with Jamis, where she betrays her utter lack of belief in Paul. I hope the brief comedy in this exchange carries over to their destined partnership. Another big name, Jason Momoa (Aquaman), takes on the role of Duncan Idaho, favorite uncle of Paul Atreides. In contrast to my surprise over the casting of Paul, Duncan had appeared to me as a lithe swashbuckling swordsman akin to Zorro instead of a powerhouse, but Momoa carries the charm that is essential to the character. A change that I hope is explained in the sequel set to come out later this year, is Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Judge of the Change on Arrakis Liet-Kynes. In the novel, Liet-Kynes is the leader of the Fremen as well as Chani’s father; her relationship to Chani was not addressed by the end of the movie, but I am suspicious that Stilgar is assuming both roles. Finally, Poe Dameron Oscar Isaac is Duke Leto Atreides. He just is, I loved it, no notes.

My Thoughts on Dune’s influence on other sci-fi in PART 2!

Q: Dune places Paul as the Kwisatz Haderach, end goal of the Bene Gesserit breeding program and messiah figure for the Fremen people. He is locked into a chosen one narrative. What do you think of destiny as a driving force for a plot or ideal to strive towards or fight against for characters?

A: Ok Izzy here again. And honestly I have really mixed feelings on “chosen one” type narratives. I find that they are used mostly in young adult fiction to get like the reluctant hero who doesn’t want to be there. Also Bildungsroman (where it is mostly framed on the growth of the character from childhood to adulthood). And that CAN work but I also think it can be a little lazy? Like I couldn’t think of a reason for this so fuck it its destiny. For me the world has to be developed in a way where it is interesting for another reason, so if a skill is the reason that the person is “chosen”. For example I didn’t really like in Divergent where you are this thing just because, you were born special. But like Harry Potter (which has A TON of problems I know) I like that Harry is chosen because of a choice the villain made, even with a prophecy involved which can be iffy. So far Dune is doing like a Messiah thing but also it is manipulated in the background actively so I don’t mind as much that it take work and planning and honestly pretty questionable actions. So I am curious how it is handled in part 2