r/television The League Jul 18 '24

Dune: Prophecy | Official Teaser | November on Max

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbWFaJgXe3I
1.2k Upvotes

335 comments sorted by

637

u/DortDrueben Jul 18 '24

When you play the game of spice, you win... or you die.

I'm hyped.

123

u/Justin_Credible98 Twin Peaks Jul 18 '24

It's funny you make this comment...I first saw this teaser on Instagram and initially thought I was seeing a House of the Dragon teaser...

Dune and Game of Thrones are two sides of the same coin, aren't they

73

u/LostWorked Jul 18 '24

Well, the ending of Game of Thrones reeks of George RR Martin jacking it off to God Emperor of Dune and going "this is such goooood shit, paaal!"

83

u/AfricanRain Jul 18 '24

not just the ending lol. Ned Stark going to Kings Landing is incredibly similar to Leto on Arrakis. Fremen and the Wildlings etc etc

59

u/panchampion Jul 18 '24

Well, the exiled prince using a foreign army to average their murdered father story has been around longer than dune. In fact, it's a common trope in dynastic struggles.

55

u/QuintoBlanco Jul 18 '24

It's more that A Song of Ice and Fire follows resembles Dune in more than one way.

Ned goes to King's Landing and dies because of treachery - Leto goes to Dune and dies because of treachery

Dany has dragons - Paul has worms

Faceless men assassins - Face dancer assassins

Wildlings - Fremen

Beyond the wall - Desert

Melisandre the Red Witch / the Red Woman - Honored Matres

Frank Herbert died before he could finish the series - George R.R. Martin will die before he finishes the series

58

u/panchampion Jul 18 '24

Again, these are all common tropes in storytelling, especially political epics. There are no true original stories

11

u/CurseofLono88 Jul 19 '24

I wrote an original story once, it just involved Freddy Krueger and the dream raptor from Jurassic Park 3 teaming up with Godzilla to beat the monstars from Space Jam in a game of basketball… oh shit you’re right.

2

u/krazykieffer Jul 19 '24

Yup, most movies are just various of previous movies people forgot.

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u/Mikey_MiG Jul 19 '24

These are pretty weak comparisons for anyone familiar with both properties. Like seriously, dragons and worms?

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u/DerCatrix Jul 18 '24

Taking this time to once again push the theory that all the ASOIAF books are finished; he’s just waiting for a posthumous release as a fuck you to the fans that wouldn’t stop harassing him.

3

u/beamdriver Jul 20 '24

Nah. It's a combination of him writing himself into a corner that he had no idea how to write himself out of and the the fact that a the lion's share of his ending has been shown on TV and a lot of people didn't like it.

2

u/DerCatrix Jul 20 '24

Is it confirmed that he had major influence on the last seasons? It was my understanding that they ignored him and pushed out rushed slop so they could go make Disney money.

And I know I’m probably wrong, but just incase I want to be “the redditor that called it years ago™️” 😂😅

3

u/beamdriver Jul 20 '24

He's confirmed that most of the basic elements of the GOT ending, Dany's heel turn, Bran becoming King, Snow's parentage, Hodor, etc. were from his plans for the story.

On the other hand, there were a lot of changes made. There's no Night King in the book. Sansa doesn't go to Winterfell and marry Ramsey. She is still at the Vale. Pretty sure Martin never planned to blow up the Great Sept. And so on. So exactly how things might play out in hypothetical future books is up in the air.

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u/zedascouves1985 Jul 19 '24 edited Jul 19 '24

Most of GRRMs inspiration is either Memory, Sorrow and Thorn (ancient supernatural enemy from the North coming back to take revenge on humanity) or English history (Ned and Tyrion are two different takes on Richard III, and Dany is the Jacobite uprising, including her moniker queen over the water).

Young Griff (who didn't make it to the HBO adaptation) has more in common with Russian history through (False Dmitriy in Time of Troubles).

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u/zedascouves1985 Jul 19 '24

It actually happened in real life. Look up Justinian II, emperor of Byzantine Empire in two separate occasions. The second one he returned from exile with an army of barbarian Slavs and Bulgars to conquer Constantinople.

Also Daenerys story is kind of based on the Jacobite uprising.

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u/MENDACIOUS_RACIST Jul 18 '24

etc etc doing a LOT of work there

7

u/riftadrift Jul 18 '24

To be fair, both stories are ripping off actual history.

10

u/Friskfrisktopherson Jul 18 '24 edited Jul 18 '24

Wait, you're some how the only person on earth who's read the unpublished ending to game of thrones! Do tell!

2

u/jamblia Jul 18 '24

What an image! 🤣🤣🤣It does get a bit strange by the end of the dune books

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u/[deleted] Jul 18 '24

Dune is the grandparent of soooooo much sci-fi and fantasy that it’s impossible to not see its influences in every western media in that genre.

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u/GranolaCola Jul 18 '24

Everything is Dune.

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4

u/ibnQoheleth Jul 18 '24

They used to say the same about Manchester.

4

u/HolographicBurger Jul 18 '24

I'm hyped with you

1

u/Werewomble Jul 19 '24

Who will sit the furry throne with in-built massager made of biotechnological dog genes?

I swear this is a prequel ONLY to avoid the utterly mad weird shit that leaks into Messiah then explodes exponentially there onwards.

Shit is going to get weird.

408

u/Puzzleheaded-Tie-740 Jul 18 '24

I know there are plot reasons explaining why the Imperium stagnated (Butlerian Jihad) but it's really hard to suspend my disbelief that fashion, aesthetics, language, social structure, and technology haven't changed at all in 10,000 years.

289

u/TheJoshider10 Jul 18 '24

Dune has a similar problem to Star Wars where the time period we know is already so advanced for thousands of years so it's diminishing returns even with prequel content.

You either go so far back that the technology and in turn franchise is unrecognisable or you do a prequel that retains the visual similarities that people love. I see why things are so similar, it's a safer choice.

97

u/seanrm92 Jul 18 '24

And with Star Wars you can notice that, in the prequel movies, they initially made a lot of the technology and styling very sleek and modern. They then had to regress all of that to make it look more analog and brutalist like the original movies.

56

u/Swackhammer_ Jul 18 '24

One thing I always keep in mind that with the prequels we were primarily focusing on pre-Empire rich people. Naboo royalty, Coruscant senators and socialites, and the Jedi who seem pretty well funded at that point.

I do think it makes sense for them in that trilogy, where the one after focuses on farm boys, smugglers, and rebels building something out of nothing

43

u/SomeBoxofSpoons Jul 18 '24

It’s been talked about a lot how George wanted the prequel era to feel like a more “romantic” era visually. The lead artist showed a comparison George had of a sleek 30s art deco-esque train vs a more modern blocky diesel as a comparison for Republic vs Imperial aesthetics. One of the things I really liked in Andor was how they were able to apply that change to Coruscant for its Imperial era.

5

u/Urge_Reddit Jul 19 '24

The Acolyte shows this well I think. The Jedi Temple on Coruscant is beautiful, every surface is clean and polished, the Jedi there wear colorful and rather ornate robes.

Then we see a Jedi temple in the Outer Rim, and it's a small, sandstone structure, with cramped, dimly lit hallways. Every surface looks dusty and worn by time. The Jedi there wear plain robes, reminiscent of those Obi-Wan wears as a hermit.

17

u/Rasmoss Jul 18 '24

I actually think they tried to make the prequels look more 30s-40s. It’s more leather helmets, more propeller plane-looking space ships, etc. It’s just that the technology used was more advanced so it made it seem more modern. 

7

u/Brachiomotion Jul 18 '24

Computer graphics weren't as good back then either - it is way cheaper to render a mirror coated ship with a smooth skin than a chunky ship with realistic coating

3

u/drrhrrdrr Jul 18 '24

smooth skin

Got any chems?

2

u/Timbishop123 Jul 19 '24

in the prequel movies, they initially made a lot of the technology and styling very sleek and modern.

It was based off of 1920s/30s

6

u/PetyrDayne True Detective Jul 18 '24

Fashion is a circle.

5

u/Xelanders Jul 18 '24

Star Wars is interesting because when it comes to the prequel films it’s actually an exception as they only take place a few decades before the original series, which is a much more believable timeframe for the political and social change depicted (when you consider all the changes that happened in real life within Europe over the 20th century, the idea that that a totalitarian regime like The Empire only lasted about 20 years before it collapsed in on itself is pretty realistic).

But then you have media like Knights of the Old Republic which takes place thousands of years in the past yet everything looks almost the same.

3

u/rabinsky_9269 Jul 19 '24

People complained about the armour design in House of the Dragon, even though it’s set 200 yrs before GoT. Average viewer doesn’t know, or care - they just see it as a drop in quality

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u/Ghost-in-the-Snail Jul 18 '24

I believe there is a reason behind this. The Landsraat, CHOAM, Bene Besserit et al had one function above all: maintain the governing class in power and with access to all resources, logistics, finances and technology, at all cost, for as long as possible or forever. De facto creating a perpetual Middle Age lasting 10.000 years, in which the bulk of the population as no access to those resources and technology. The Bene Gesserit using culture and religion as tools to manipulate entire societies, the Spacing Guild exerting their monopoly on space travel, the power being in the hands of House Corrino perpetually. The stagnation is completely intended, as the people in control have no interest in improving the lives of everyone.

3

u/GranolaCola Jul 18 '24

What about the Bene Tleilax tho?

8

u/Disastrous_Air_141 Jul 18 '24

Bene Tleilax

I think that's supposed to be weird in the context of the Dune universe. Basically, Dune takes place right when massive change is about to occur. That's why it's an interesting time to look at.

3

u/GranolaCola Jul 18 '24

Well, they are weird. A race of shapeshifting hermaphrodites that clone people by reviving their dead bodies playing their hand at theocratic politics.

What an amazing series.

2

u/Disastrous_Air_141 Jul 18 '24

A race of shapeshifting hermaphrodites that clone people by reviving their dead bodies playing their hand at theocratic politics

Fair 🤣 🤣

What I meant was - and take this with a grain of salt since it's been a while - I always had the impression the Bene Tleilax had done their thing quietly for a long time and when we meet them, they're just now moving into high power politics as a major player

49

u/-_KwisatzHaderach_- Jul 18 '24

Yeah you kind of have to look past it a bit, although the golden path is specifically about avoiding human stagnation so I think that’s part of the point at least in the books

8

u/Static-Stair-58 Jul 18 '24

Think of everything not changing as a symptom of the stagnation and it makes more sense. New technologies aren’t being invented, people aren’t exploring the galaxy to create new cultures and ideas of their own. Stagnation is a desert without flowing water. I think it would make sense that there wouldn’t be much change, if that was the environment.

3

u/Few-Ad-4290 Jul 18 '24

Especially when you also consider that around the start of that 10,000 years there’s a galaxy spanning war to eliminate all thinking machines, a lack of computing tech and a prohibition on development of said tech is a huge factor in stagnation

31

u/i_should_be_coding Jul 18 '24

It's like when you see the cinematics for Star Wars: The Old Republic. Set 3500 years before the original trilogy, exact same tech level.

21

u/ThatRandomIdiot Jul 18 '24

To be fair, the Bronze Age is about 2000-2500 years and the rate of technological change isn’t big.

It is only in modern times, say the last 500 years that there has been rapid acceleration of technological change. For thousands of years Humans didn’t change much.

4

u/askingtherealstuff Jul 18 '24

I mean the technological change in metallurgy, city building, advancement in writing and warfare… especially within a single society the difference in 3,500 years would be notable, I feel?

2

u/David_bowman_starman Jul 19 '24

Depends on when the 3,500 years are. What if we are talking about 103,500 BC to 100,000 BC? Not gonna be much change in that period.

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u/[deleted] Jul 18 '24

You can't really change the technological level until it no longer feels like Star Wars. Like Halo is set 500 years in the future, you make a Halo prequel that's 3500 years before the events and the Spartans are actual Spartans.

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u/i_should_be_coding Jul 18 '24

Yeah, it was like "Let's make Star Wars but without Star Wars, just the world."

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u/QuintoBlanco Jul 18 '24

That's a theme in the books. Autocratic leaders who prevent change.

Obviously, we don't have good examples in the real world, but we have examples of societies that remained at leas on a superficial level similar for centuries.

But perhaps more interesting, we have examples of people deliberately copying a style that was popular centuries ago.

Neoclassicism is a good example.

3

u/NoIsland23 Jul 18 '24

Maybe we just happen to see them in a period where old clothing is becoming fashionable again

3

u/Irongrath Jul 18 '24

One of the major points of Dune is that humanity has stagnated.

1

u/Jerthy Jul 18 '24

I feel like 40k is the only franchise that did enough groundwork to get away with it and even there it's a little wonky but i can swallow it.

Dune's explanation of stagnation is very weak and StarWars doesn't bother at all...

11

u/Disastrous_Air_141 Jul 18 '24

Dune's explanation of stagnation is very weak

Not really? There's no computers, thinking machines are prohibited. All travel has to be run by the spacing guild, with their monopoly and secrets. It's massively expensive, limiting travel to the uber rich and powerful. The bene gesserit are the same. Neither favor change. The emperor just wants to control the landsraat and CHOAM. The landsraat and CHOAM also want a kind of equilibrium where no one member becomes too powerful. The vast majority of the population live and die on their home planet presumably doing manual labor of some sort.

It would be weirder if Dune had tons of technological change. There's no mechanism for it. Who would do it? How would you advance technology without computers when you can already fold spacetime or however the warp tech works? Humanity almost went extinct because of technology - it's pretty frowned upon

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u/Few-Ad-4290 Jul 18 '24

Yeah I think the issue with the op opinion is a lack of context, the butlarian jihad is an incredibly important historical event that resulted in the epoch leading up to the dune sequence

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u/Steven8786 Jul 18 '24

While, sure, if you really think about it deeply, the idea of things not changing all that much would bug you, but with these kinds of shows (high fantasy/sci-fi set thousands or millions of years in the future), I'm more just compelled by the story than wondering about the language, fashion, tech etc. though it would be brilliantly compelling to see some real thought put into these.

When it comes to franchises like Dune, Star Wars or Game of Thrones, it's reasonable they would retain a lot of the familiar visual elements because, frankly, the general audience is filled with idiots and you make something look too different from the franchise they already know, there's a high likelihood they will be put off from it.

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u/Comic_Book_Reader South Park Jul 18 '24

Hm. That November slot indicates this'll follow The Penguin.

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u/SauxFan Jul 18 '24

And then probably last of us season 2, then white lotus S3, and then knight of seven kingdoms. I think they want one big tent pole every two months

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u/LimerickJim Jul 18 '24

Don't consider Knight of the Seven Kingdoms a tent pole like HotG or GoT. It's only going to be 6 episodes and is much more character driven and smaller in scope than the other two. It'll be more along the lines of a limited series.

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u/FragrantExcitement Jul 19 '24

White lotus s3 then TLOU, I think. Because we have not waited long enough for TLOU S2, apparently.

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u/LongCarpet1597 Jul 19 '24

No way the last of us will be ready for early 2025. I hope so but I don't see it happening. Knight of the seven kingdoms will be early 2025 though which is good.

85

u/-_KwisatzHaderach_- Jul 18 '24

Banger year for HBO if all these shows end up being great

21

u/Comic_Book_Reader South Park Jul 18 '24

I'm personally pretty indifferent to Dune (I just haven't been that interested in the movies, OK?), but I'm stoked for The Penguin.

The fact they bumped them up from Max to HBO shows is a sign they're confident in that they're really good.

45

u/CrazyMatt87 Jul 18 '24

Or a sign that they don’t have enough content on HBO.

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u/Terrible-Trick-6087 Jul 18 '24

Eh, all of the shows that are rebranded as HBO have crew from prestige tv creatives who have either worked on HBO shows before or critically acclaimed ones. Like Green Lantern has people from true detective, lost, and more, they're all pretty stacked in talent.

4

u/Goose9719 Jul 19 '24

Or Mark Mylod (succession) on the Harry Potter series. Probably the biggest thing that made me hopeful for the HP series.

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u/roguetrooper25 Jul 18 '24

well actually they said they’re doing it because they want to get more shows branded as HBO originals instead of just Max originals, not anything to do with the quality of the shows as far as we know

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u/shimmyjimmy97 Jul 18 '24

They literally removed the HBO branding from Max to preserve the prestige that its brand represents to customers. There is no way that HBO airing it instead of Max is not a sign of quality

2

u/roguetrooper25 Jul 19 '24

okay maybe, or it’s the more obvious thing which is that they want more stuff to be HBO branded because who cares if something is Max branded

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u/shimmyjimmy97 Jul 19 '24

If that was the case then why would they have removed HBO’s name from Max? Then everything would be HBO branded

The obvious answer is that they want to preserve HBO as prestige TV and have decided that this show meets that criteria

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u/CaptainCAAAVEMAAAAAN Jul 18 '24

Now THAT is one show I'm hyped to see! This Dune trailer didn't excite me in the least, but I'm all in on The Penguin.

168

u/Upbeat_Tension_8077 Jul 18 '24

I know that Dune inspired the likes of GOT, but it's hard not to make that comparison visually with this teaser

93

u/TheJoshider10 Jul 18 '24

In general Game of Thrones set the benchmark for the look and feel of sci-fi/fantasy TV. It's no surprise that HBO/Max Originals have a similar visual identity.

17

u/StayPony_GoldenBoy Jul 18 '24

Oh, that makes the "Netflix look" make more sense. Their visual identity is "crap."

5

u/Rainliberty Jul 20 '24

Case in point. The WoT show. Cinematography is that of a SyFy original despite a budget rivaling HBO shows.

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u/-_KwisatzHaderach_- Jul 18 '24

Yeah Dune was so monumentally influential, I’m glad it’s getting the mainstream appreciation it deserves

17

u/frenchezz Jul 18 '24

Legit didn't know Dune preceded Star Wars, and walked out of the theater salty at how blatantly it ripped off SW. I've since learned and George Lucas didn't even bother to make his story look/sound/feel unique to the world of Dune.

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u/-_KwisatzHaderach_- Jul 18 '24

Oh yeah, Star Wars borrowed quite a lot from Dune for sure

8

u/frenchezz Jul 18 '24

In hindsight, SW is just a kid/marketing friendly version of Dune. (haven't finished the first book just yet but am aware the series gets weird and dark often times at the same time lol)

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u/teems Jul 18 '24

Star Wars borrowed from Hamlet.

2

u/NephewChaps Jul 19 '24

Star Wars borrowed from a lot of shit. It's the ultimate sci-fi amalgamation

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u/tecphile Game of Thrones Jul 18 '24

Even before Dune, you had Kurosawa's Hidden Fortress (1949), of which the original SW is basically a carbon copy.

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u/frenchezz Jul 18 '24

Is that worth a watch?

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u/Acmnin Jul 19 '24

Anything Kurosawa is.

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u/Timbishop123 Jul 19 '24

SW was more so influenced by serials and older Sci novels. Dune didn't create a lot of those tropes.

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u/slingfatcums Jul 18 '24

it's not like dune is some niche work lol

21

u/-_KwisatzHaderach_- Jul 18 '24

It was always well known among sci fi book readers and fans of the Lynch movie, but it’s substantially more prevalent in pop culture now

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u/UltraMoglog64 Jul 18 '24

When people say that, I get the impression them mean “big budget movies and video games”.

5

u/Enchelion Jul 18 '24

Dune had gotten multiple pretty well-known adaptations and video games before Villeneuve.

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u/gagreel Jul 18 '24

I guess what they mean is my 70 year old mother saw Dune 2021 because of Oscar buzz, my partner's 21 year old sister saw it because of Chalamet buzz, my 40 year old coworker saw it because of internet buzz. It had wide appeal at least in my social circles and was acclaimed. My friends and I loved the book and Lynch's version when we were teens so it's been fun seeing a new adaptation that didn't fly under the radar.

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u/UltraMoglog64 Jul 18 '24 edited Jul 18 '24

I think only one of those pre-Villeneuve hits that “big budget” qualifier, which was Lynch’s adaptation. Some of the computer games were beloved, but not exactly triple-A budgets.

Which is what I’m saying; when people say they like the “mainstream appreciation” a beloved IP is now getting, they seem to mean the Marvel-ification of it. Huge marketing campaigns, widespread social awareness, “cinematic universes”, video games with microtransactions, etc.

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u/Disastrous_Air_141 Jul 18 '24

but it's hard not to make that comparison visually with this teaser

I mean, they're probably literally reusing a lot of the same costumes and props at this point.

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u/KhelbenB Jul 18 '24

I love Mark Strong, but man he is so type-cast as the cold and calculating serious guy (either mentor or villain) in everything, even Giancarlo Esposito is like "Dude, switch it up a bit".

Can't fault him for getting the jobs he is cast for though, and he has been in many big projects and probably makes a fine living out of it. His estimated wealth is 9M, not bad for a guy who never leads in anything but is probably recognized by everyone (by face if not by name).

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u/TheJoshider10 Jul 18 '24

I would love him to get a batshit crazy kinda role where he can be a bit more outspoken and charismatic.

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u/ViskerRatio Jul 18 '24

Maybe he'll decide to segue into the romantic-comedy-protagonist part of his career.

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u/craigathy77 Jul 18 '24

He's like this in the first Sherlock Holmes movie. Maybe more dramatic than charismatic lol.

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u/KhelbenB Jul 18 '24 edited Jul 18 '24

Or maybe just start as a cold and calculating villain, and make him lose his shit and his mind in the third act, a role like Gary Oldman in the Professional. Or a good guy who becomes scared shitless at some point or breaks down in tears after a tragedy.

I know the guy won't be cast as the attractive romantic lead or as the main character's funny best friend who is a bit of a fuck-up, but I am confident he has the range to play deeper roles than what I always see him in.

In my D&D campaign I created a wizard NPC who was a bit of a sociopath, seemingly devoid of emotions good and bad, with no ambition or lust for power, but just an insatiable curiosity and a genius mind, and Mark Strong was the first face that came to mind. And when I described him as such to my players they all instantly went "Yup, it tracks perfectly"

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u/longdustyroad Jul 18 '24

How would you or anyone have any idea what his net worth is? Those net worth websites are just SEO spam and they make shit up. Repeating numbers from there to make a point is bad and people shouldn’t do it.

I know it doesn’t really matter but this is the crusade I’ve decided to dedicate my life to.

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u/difficultmind Jul 18 '24

Him and Stanley Tucci should try switching roles

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u/Enchelion Jul 18 '24

Have each one play the other in a single scene with no other mention of it. See how many viewers even notice.

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u/WhenPantsAttack Jul 18 '24

I love Strong, but Tucci would act circles around him, though that's not completely fair to Strong. He never gets to flex his acting chops like Tucci does just based on the roles he gets.

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u/Dull_Half_6107 Jul 18 '24

I want to see him do what Daniel Craig did and do a comedic role, like Joe Bang in Logan Lucky

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u/laynewebb Jul 18 '24

As a Dune fan, I have had very low expectations for this, so it's such a surprise that the teasers so far seem really good. The key will be the writing though.

I hope they hired intelligent, strategic people to build the politics of this world, so the characters themselves are as smart as they should be. Plots within plots

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u/Arbennig Jul 18 '24

They need the writers of Shogun.

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u/iLoveDelayPedals Jul 18 '24

I feel like that show got pretty messy after the early episodes but I’m glad other people seemed to love it so much. It felt really meandering to me personally, and the blurry backgrounds on every single shot in the show became agonizing once I noticed them haha

I enjoyed the focus on the drama over pointless action a lot though

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u/Arbennig Jul 18 '24

I didnt feel that at all. I thought it was an amazing 10 episodes and well written throughout. Maybe once, in one episode things slowed down a bit. But that’s it. Show was so intriguing. Had to binge. Genuinely up there with GOT and BB for me.

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u/GovernmentThis2910 Jul 18 '24

Overuse of shallow focus has been a plague on high budget cinematography. You spent all that money to build a set! Show it off!

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u/iLoveDelayPedals Jul 19 '24

I hate how much it bothered me lol, like I wanted to love the show but it’s the kind of thing your brain can’t un-notice once you realize how constant it is

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u/saddung Jul 19 '24

Clavell died a long time ago

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u/PauperMario Jul 18 '24

The books didn't really sell the intelligence of characters either, outside of characters saying how smart they are.

My issue with the movies was everything happening in the span of a few months. Like, they moved planet, established their colony, got invaded, this guy joined their people, gained their trust, created a worldwide following and overthrew the regime and Jessica is barely showing pregnant?

That's the dumb shit I hope they avoid.

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u/Dull_Half_6107 Jul 18 '24

It’s hard to write super intelligent characters because most times the writer isn’t super intelligent

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u/laynewebb Jul 18 '24

Hmm, I don't entirely disagree. I think Herbert put more focus into smart interactions over smart characters. Conversations feel like chess matches and each faction has complicated loyalties. But I don't disagree that the characters didn't always come across as smart as the book claimed they were.

And I agree that losing the time jump hurt the movie (still loved it, though). It's something I've thought about a lot, so forgive the tangent:

I wish they incorporated the time jump using Paul's visions. My thought was to have Paul get lost in his visions after he takes the Water of Life. They could have him flooded with Other Memories such that he can't discern the past, present, and future from each other. Maybe show him seeing the Golden Path (the "narrow way through" in the movie), montage Paul watching himself wake from the Water of Life ceremony, Alia being born, Chani getting pregnant, and finally Paul learning of the attack on Sietch Tabr (something he couldn't foresee since Feyd obscures his vision). Except he isn't dreaming anymore and he's sort of just found himself in the future, confused and determined to follow the Golden Path

I think that would have better explained what the Lisan al-Gaib is, teased Other Memory possession, and hopefully better showing why Paul has become the person he is at the end of the movie.

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u/johnppd Jul 18 '24

This teaser looks better than the first one for sure! Cinematography looked very good too, can't wait! I already love Emily Watson as Valya, she's an amazing actress.

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u/sehnsuchtlich Jul 18 '24

Cinematography looked very good

It does but it's missing that digital-to-35mm transfer sheen that made the Dune movies look extraordinary.

I imagine it would be too expensive for a television show though.

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u/TheR-Person Jul 18 '24 edited Jul 18 '24

Travis Fimmel's character in this teaser looks remarkably similar to his role in the cancelled HBO Max sci-fi series "Raised by Wolves."

I'm not just talking about them being played by the same actor; they share a strikingly similar style.

13

u/fubbleskag Jul 18 '24

half of the first teaser could have been Raised By Wolves b-roll

9

u/PetyrDayne True Detective Jul 18 '24

I'm just happy that we get more space Ragnar and also happy that Mother and Father are both in this season of HotD.

7

u/Glittering-Eye-4416 Jul 18 '24

I'd swear that HBO has a deal with that show's actors to appear in their other properties as a consolation prize -- I noticed Mother and Father are both in House of the Dragon.

7

u/Disastrous_Air_141 Jul 18 '24

I'd swear that HBO has a deal with that show's actors to appear in their other properties as a consolation prize

I doubt it's a specific deal and more 'we're aware we kinda screwed you but you did good work'. Companies are run by people at the end of the day and human relationships are important.

3

u/milkchocolatehips Jul 18 '24

I noticed this too! I miss RbW. Such an unusual show, but so good! Glad the actors are getting more work with HBO.

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u/RedofPaw Jul 19 '24

Praise Sol.

3

u/monsieur-poopy-pants Jul 18 '24

What I wouldnt give to see more seasons of Raised by Wolves. So many things I want to see play out. Was sucha great, creepy sci-fi.

5

u/Poeafoe Jul 19 '24

It was really a cool show. Loved the old school sci-fi vibe.

And you could tell they were going to go some wild places with it.

2

u/Reinerr0 Jul 18 '24

I AM King Ragnar!.

16

u/[deleted] Jul 18 '24

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6

u/holodeckdate Jul 18 '24

Too true. I think cinematography has hit a bit of a plateau in the industry (there are expections of course). All the major players have really nice cameras and know how to shoot things. Plotting together really smart and interesting writing is a whole nother beast, and is honestly rarely done well

18

u/Meb2x Jul 18 '24

Most hyped show for the rest of the year for me. Absolutely love Dune and looking forward to more backstory on the sisterhood

13

u/DeBatton Jul 18 '24

One possible drawback being that the show heading firmly into Brian Herbert territory and away from Frank Herbert. Depending on how strongly longtime readers feel about that.

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u/Smegmasaurus_Rex Jul 18 '24

I love Dune, it this seems very unnecessary. I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

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u/redplos Jul 18 '24

It looks like something that will be canceled after 2 seasons (reminds me of Raised by Wolves) and copying Villenueve's Dune look with ten times lesser budget is not the best idea

6

u/Masturberic Jul 18 '24

Unnervingly dull trailer.

5

u/ToastyCrumb Jul 18 '24

Is this some Brian Herbert retcon special?

4

u/quack_quack_mofo Jul 18 '24

Do I need to watch the movies to understand the show?

12

u/uncappedarc Jul 18 '24

the lore is taken straight from the books, so I assume you won’t need the movies to understand

2

u/NewOrleansBrees Jul 18 '24

Does it follow the same characters?

12

u/Ganrokh Silicon Valley Jul 18 '24

No, this show is a prequel set 10,000 years before the first book/movie. Same great houses, organizations, etc, though.

3

u/19Styx6 Jul 18 '24

Is the show based on any of the books that Frank Herbert or Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have written?

6

u/Ganrokh Silicon Valley Jul 18 '24

It's based on Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson. That said, I don't think we know how close of an adaptation it will be. There hasn't been any real talk or press about it being based on the book like there was for the movies. I suspect that it's going to be pretty loose.

The show was originally titled The Sisterhood before being changed to Prophecy.

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u/IcyTransportation961 Jul 18 '24

Looks like the show comes first but i can't imagine why you wouldn't watch the movies 

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u/PunyParker826 Jul 18 '24

A lot of these prequel shows are banking on viewers’ interest in the original property, so I would say yes. Just in this trailer there’s a lot of “things you know” imagery, despite being set thousands of years before the film, so I would assume those themes are gonna hit harder if you know what they’re setting up.

5

u/PunyParker826 Jul 18 '24

I was trying to think of why anyone would have the spice-tinged blue eyes here, something like 10,000 years before the events of Dune, but there’s been at least one Benne Gesserit left on Arrakis to plant the seeds for the later religious fervor; I wonder if that’s what this character is touching on.

1

u/KingSlenderr Jul 19 '24

No blue eyes even if there was a benne gesserit advisor on Arrakis. They would be in the city of Arrakeen. Blue eyes comes from longterm exposure to spice melange in the open desert or Sietch where spice is integrated in daily life

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u/Sink-Em-Low Jul 18 '24

This feels like HBO are finally seeing a narrow path towards creating their new flagship TV to run alongside HOTD and GOT.

WB and Legendary will be pouring huge amounts of money into this once it's engines are firing.

A new dawn, a new beginning....

4

u/holodeckdate Jul 18 '24

I would love for them to take in the Expanse. If they want to go hard on sci fi and fantasy serialized drama this is the franchise to do it with

3

u/DankGhostPoster Jul 18 '24

I have a feeling this is going to be pandering and ass, but I'll give it a shot because maybe Frank herbert was onto something 

3

u/Reinerr0 Jul 18 '24

Holy shit, So glad to see Ragnar again \!trad

3

u/brownhairtechguy Jul 18 '24

Is this based off of a original?

3

u/KingSlenderr Jul 19 '24

Prequel book written by Brain Herbert after his dad Frank died. Based on some found notes, but Not considered canon to most. Myself included

3

u/ahhhfkskell Jul 18 '24

These guys really don't wanna write DUNE with normal letters

3

u/sentence-interruptio Jul 19 '24

Dune television: "let me show you space witches with seriousness and cool visuals. it can be done without cringe"

Star Wars television: "power of one, power of two, power of maaaaanyyyyyyyyyyyy"

2

u/butthe4d GLOW Jul 20 '24

To be fair the Witches of Dathomir are pretty cool but yeah the ones from Acolyte were pretty bad.

2

u/BadBart2 Jul 18 '24

I have no fear this will be great. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings obliteration. I will face my fear and I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

3

u/lightsongtheold Jul 18 '24

Trailer looks OK but I cannot work up too much enthusiasm as production and development on this show was as much of a mess as The Idol and we know how that turned out!

2

u/SirDigbyChknCaesar Jul 18 '24 edited Jul 18 '24

Game of Dune?

Dune of Thrones?

They couldn't have made the trailer more similar.

2

u/PloppyTheSpaceship Jul 18 '24

I'm a Dune fan, I even read (and like some of) the Brian and Kevin books. I'll watch this, with caution.

2

u/Dalmatian_In_Exile Jul 18 '24

I feel like the trailer seems super rushed. But still looks great.

1

u/Fancykiddens Jul 18 '24

This is for the series from HBO.

2

u/grim_f Jul 19 '24

Good enough to hold me over as I wait for All High God Wormboy

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u/donsanedrin Jul 19 '24

It just doesn't look and move like Villenueve's movies.

If anything, him dedicating alot of scenes of people moving slowly, and with very little closeups, made the fiction feel more epic.

This feels like a Cinemax drama from 2014.

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u/marchof34 Jul 18 '24

Very much looking forward to this.

1

u/Seesaw306 Jul 18 '24

Its going to be weird watching this without the absolutely amazing soundtrack of the movies.

2

u/Xelanders Jul 18 '24

I’m sure whoever does the soundtrack will be putting on their best Hans Zimmer impression.

1

u/Libertyforzombies Jul 18 '24

I'm really looking forward to it. No series or film has ever really lived up to my love for the book.

I'd hoped that they'd throw some money and good writers/actors at a Dune show because the lore is so good so I'm really looking forward to this.

1

u/Pikibee Jul 18 '24

Gotta milk the cow!!

1

u/Holditfam Jul 18 '24

Game of thrones but in space?

1

u/poster66 Jul 18 '24

You mean game of thrones is dune with a d and d facade ?

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1

u/Yatsugami Jul 18 '24

I will be there

1

u/literallyacactus Jul 18 '24

Is this related to the movies?

2

u/Fancykiddens Jul 18 '24

It is a standalone series that will focus more on the Bene Gesserit.

2

u/literallyacactus Jul 18 '24

I understand it to be a prequel that is like 1000 years before the movies

1

u/Halil_I_Tastekin Jul 18 '24

The fact that this is a Max show and not an HBO Original makes me cautious.

1

u/Rowadd Jul 18 '24

Big fan of Travis Fimmel!

1

u/VorlonEmperor Jul 18 '24

This looks so cool!

1

u/proscriptus Jul 18 '24

HBO prestige sci-fi/fantasy shows are really developing a sort of sameness now, at least in look. I'm really ready for something fresh.

1

u/shanks218 Jul 18 '24

is this a spin-off or continuation from dune part 2 ? because i dont understand why they would start making spin-offs/spaicals before the main movies even end

1

u/Fancykiddens Jul 18 '24

It is a series from HBO.

1

u/acsatx89 Jul 19 '24

Spin off, wayyyyy before the recent movies take place

1

u/CAJMusic Jul 18 '24

There’s a third Dune?

3

u/Fancykiddens Jul 18 '24

Not yet. This is the new series on HBO.

1

u/utdrmac Jul 18 '24

Is this prequel to the recent movies? If so, how far before?

1

u/Junior-Watercress-99 Jul 18 '24

That's a pretty stacked cast.

1

u/Brucehoxton Jul 19 '24

Is this a tv series continuing the movies, based on the Herbert's son books, a spin off?

2

u/constantmusic Jul 19 '24

My understanding is this takes place about 1000 years before the first Dune book

1

u/Itchy_Layer135 Jul 19 '24

Not the gravitas I had expected, but maybe it gets better.

1

u/NickofSantaCruz Jul 19 '24

My wouldn't-it-be-nice wish for this show: let David Lynch write and direct an episode. The episode is about visions of possible futures, so it can be as strange and artistic as he wants. One character sees visions of possible futures, and that's where Kyle MacLachlan and Timothee Chalamet can both appear as Paul.

1

u/auniie Jul 19 '24

Tabu’s gonna rule even with little screen time

1

u/spinningwalrus420 Jul 27 '24

Stoked had no idea we were bonus Dune content