Denis Villeneuve
Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune is one of the most influential sci-fi novels ever penned, and it has inspired some of the most iconic sci-fi movies ever made. But attempts to adapt Herbert’s book have been infamously troubled, as evidenced by Jodorowsky’s Dune, a 2013 documentary about avant-garde moviemaker Alejandro Jodorowsky’s failed attempt to film Herbert’s text. While David Lynch did manage to adapt the novel, it was largely considered a bomb upon its release in 1984—though it has since developed a dedicated cult following. The third time proved to be a charm, however, when Denis Villeneuve—the mind behind sci-fi gems Enemy, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049—applied his now signature novelistic approach and was able to succeed where others have failed. Villeneuve tells the story of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a young man who is destined to greatness, but who must survive a trek through the most dangerous planet in the universe in order to fulfill his fate. Dune is a gorgeously shot epic that is as smart as it is stunning. Villeneuve, Chalamet, and Zendaya are all returning for the sequel, Dune: Part Two, which will add Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, and Léa Seydoux to the cast. It’s currently scheduled for a November 17, 2023 release.