Denis Villeneuve has been making the rounds promoting his upcoming “Dune” (10.22.21). He keeps commenting on on Warner Bros decision to release “Dune” on HBO Max without consulting him first.
It seems as though Villeneuve isn’t so keen in having “Dune” screeners being sent out to critics because he believes that the film is meant to be experienced on the big screen. Speaking to La Presse, Villeneuve says that he had gone so far as to "[insist] that no one receives a viewing link so that the film can only be seen on the big screen."
The problem is that there was nothing in the contract he signed with Warner Bros that required an exclusive theatrical release. Nevertheless, it seems as though Warner Bros will be extra cautious in sending out links to press for this one.Of course, Villeneuve suggesting that his movie should be seen in theaters in the middle of a pandemic wave is a polarizing thing to say. I get his frustration, but he’s not the only filmmaker in this situation at the moment.
First things first, I absolutely believe “Dune” (and many other of these fall festival movies) should be seen on the big screen. I hate, hate, HATE watching these new movies at home, it’s just not the same experience at all. With that being said, I am getting “Blade Runner 2049” vibes all over again with “Dune.” Is the fan base actually large enough to make it a box-office hit? The movies is a lengthy 155 minutes and it’s being released in October (which is when most of the “experts” predict the delta wave will reach its absolute peak in the U.S.)
Villeneuve saying that it has to absolutely be seen on the big screen is commendable, but what if the situation turns so dire by October that audiences will just want to stay home? What if not enough people are actually interested in “Dune” to begin with? These are all questions that need to be asked because this movie and its theatrical rollout are, by far, the biggest gamble of the year in Hollywood. He’s already talking about a second part, but it’s far from a safe bet that that will actually happen .
Edward Berger seems to have settled on what comes next. His Lance Armstrong biopic, starring Austin Butler, is now holding casting calls, with production eyed for January.