"Dune: Prophecy": second season commissioned

Replenishment for all "Dune" fans: the series spin-off "Dune: Prophecy" proved to be a complete success for HBO. The pilot episode alone reached more than 15 million viewers. So it's no wonder that a second season was commissioned.

Showrunner Alison Schapker expressed her delight at the renewal in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter:

"We're so thrilled and grateful for their support, for our partners at Legendary, and most of all that we get to keep working with these incredible people in front of and behind the camera and get to keep telling this story".

Details on the start of filming or the release of season 2 are not yet known.

"Dune Prophecy" is dedicated to the origins of the powerful Bene Gesserit sisterhood, whose quest for control and power begins around 10,000 years before the events surrounding Paul Atreides. Intrigue and power struggles included. The cast includes Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel and Mark Strong.

The previous Dune films: A journey through the deserts of Arrakis

Frank Herbert's novel "Dune", first published in 1965, is considered one of the most important works of science fiction in literary history. The complex story about power, religion, ecology and politics on the desert planet Arrakis has inspired filmmakers for decades – with varying degrees of success. Here is an overview of previous attempts to bring the epic saga to the big screen.

David Lynch's "Dune" (1984) : A controversial cult classic

The first major film adaptation of "Dune" was made by David Lynch, known for his surreal works such as Eraserhead and Twin Peaks. Produced by Dino De Laurentiis, Lynch's Dune was one of the most expensive film projects of its time, with a budget of 40 million dollars.

The plot centers on Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan), the young heir to the House of Atreides, who becomes embroiled in the power struggles over Arrakis – a desert world that houses the most valuable substance in the universe, Spice Melange. Lynch's film attempted to capture the essence of the novel but, according to critics and fans, failed in its realization.

The studio significantly shortened Lynch's original vision, greatly compressing the complex plot. Many of the philosophical and political themes of the novel were lost in the process. The film was critically panned on its release and was a financial failure. Nevertheless, it has gained cult status over the years, mainly due to its unique aesthetic, Kyle MacLachlan's performance and the iconic music by Toto and Brian Eno.

Alejandro Jodorowsky's "Dune": The film that was never made

Before Lynch's version, the visionary filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky planned an adaptation of "Dune" in the 1970s. With a running time of up to 14 hours, this ambitious project was to cover the entire story of the book. Jodorowsky assembled an impressive team, including artists such as H.R. Giger and Moebius for the design, as well as Salvador Dalí, who was to play Emperor Shaddam IV. Pink Floyd was intended for the soundtrack.

However, the financing fell through and the project was never realized. Nevertheless, Jodorowsky's Dune left a lasting impression. Many of the designs and concepts were later incorporated into other sci-fi films such as Alien. The documentary "Jodorowsky's Dune" (2013) provides fascinating insights into the ambitious but ultimately failed production.

The TV adaptations: Miniseries from 2000 and 2003

After Lynch's film, it took almost two decades before Dune was adapted again. In 2000, the US cable channel Sci-Fi Channel (now Syfy) produced a three-part mini-series entitled Frank Herbert's "Dune". It was directed by John Harrison.

This version was much closer to the novel and, with a running time of just under five hours, had enough space to present the plot in detail. The series was praised for its faithfulness to the original and won two Primetime Emmy Awards. Despite a smaller budget, it impressed with ambitious designs and solid actors such as Alec Newman as Paul Atreides and William Hurt as Duke Leto.

The sequel "Children of Dune" followed in 2003, adapting the second two books in the series, "The Lord of the Desert Planet". The production continued the visual and thematic quality of the first series and was also well received.

Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" (2021) : A cinematic masterpiece

In 2021, Canadian director Denis Villeneuve ("Arrival","Blade Runner 2049") brought a new adaptation of 'Dune' to cinemas. Villeneuve split the story into two parts to do justice to the complex plot.

The film focuses on the first half of the novel and follows Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet) in his rise as a Messiah-like figure. The cast includes other high-caliber actors such as Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Zendaya, Javier Bardem and Jason Momoa.

Villeneuve's "Dune" was praised for its breathtaking images, the epic soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and its faithful adaptation of the original. The film was a commercial success, despite pandemic-related restrictions, and won six Oscars, including Best Cinematography and Best Sound.

The sequel, "Dune: 2", was released in 2024 and became one of the most popular blockbusters of the year.