On why I think DUNE could be made into a great movie

[Sole Man]

...and why it won't be.

Well, I think the first thing is that the Lynch movie was a half-assed effort. They didn't put much production value into it, were on a constrained time limit, and overall really didn't want to make the movie. (The producers, of course) Plus they didn't stay true to the novel; even going so far as to contractdict the entire point of it.
The TV movie was more close, and while not really converying the point, didnot directly go against it. The problem was that it wasn't built on a high production scale either- More so becuase of the fast it was TV vs. a theactrical film that would pull in more money.
The second TV movie was made on the same as its predacessor- Only that it conveyed none of the themes present in the novels.

I personelly belieave they'll never make a good DUNE movie- its just too much of a book, of liteature. Unfortunately, we have these idiots in hollywood who have decreeded that it will be made, and will bewatched by millions.
Well, The only way to capture the true spirit of Dune would be to make it on a huge production- like the LORD OF THE RING trilogy. Only get decent actors, a decent dierctor (s?) good effects, and really plan out what you're going to do. stay with the plot as much as you can, and most importantly ET THE DAMN POINT ACROSS! No magic god-like powers, no "We'll turn out all right in the end" and Mst importantly, MOST IMPORTANTLY! Don't let a mr. Kevin James Anderson (That's right- I used your middle name BITCH!) write the script. Or the fucking hack he works with! Niethr of them! Get David Lynch to write before they do!

That being said, Who do ya'll think about this?

[DuneFishUK]

They didn't put much production value into it, were on a constrained time limit....

Eh? ... Lynch's Dune is a fantastically lavish production. Go back an look at the Emperor's throne room at the start of the movie (widescreen version) and reconsider It's pretty incredible.

Admittedly the time issue is correct. You cannot do Dune in 2:11.. it just doesn't work.

they didn't stay true to the novel; even going so far as to contractdict the entire point of it.

There are two sides to this - wierding modules on one side and lumps of pure Herbertarian dialogue on the other. I love the dialogue - but they are both part of the same problem.

(as for the rain - forget the rain. Stop the movie a couple of mins early and watch the "History will call us wives" deleted scene on Youtube.)

The second TV movie was made on the same as its predacessor- Only that it conveyed none of the themes present in the novels.

I think the COD mini is about as good as it's going to get. If we're lucky the new movie with match it. It is imperfect.. but at the same time it is GOOD, a huge visual and acting improvement from the first mini and actually genuinely entertaining. Remember - FH did not labour or spell out his points and themes - that's what KJA does.

There will always be more in the book - that's why books are brilliant.

(Can't wait for the novelization though )

[Tleszer]

(Can't wait for the novelization though )

Heresy!

[TheDukester]

Eh? ... Lynch's Dune is a fantastically lavish production. Go back an look at the Emperor's throne room at the start of the movie (widescreen version) and reconsider It's pretty incredible.

I loathe the Lynch version, but even I'll admit this much is true. Production-wise, it was (for the most part) a good effort ... in a weird, steampunk-ish sort of way.

I'm not sure where you're going with that argument, Soul-Dude; it's one of the few areas where the Lynch version gets high marks.

(There weren't enough hats, though ...)

[A Thing of Eternity]

I liked the production, but hated the changes and shit acting. I've scoured the internet trying to find out what happened to the small and medium sized worms for my collection of Dune stuff, but I suspect they'd be to expensive even if I did track one down.

[Drunken Idaho]

INGREDIENTS FOR A GREAT DUNE FILM:

- Good Script: Bottom line is, Lynch's film sucked because they wrote an immense script and had to figure out ways to fix it up AFTER shooting. They did this by cutting things, and adding things. Well basically you HAVE to cut things and add things to make it into a film. It's a matter of what you cut and add. That's why I say, sculpt the script into a perfect little movie, and go with it. Do the cutting on paper, instead of celluloid.

- Money: pump money into sets and costumes, using CG only when totally necessary, a la LOTR.

- Photography: Cannot stress this enough. It may not matter or even register to many of you, but good photography makes a good film, even when the plot is weak. I can see Dune as a dramatic, ethereal experience, in its visual language. Think (again) LOTR, Batman Begins, The Fountain...

- A young Paul: For Christ's sake, I hope they don't screw up casting Paul for a third time... GET IT RIGHT! Young, lean, agile, hawk-faced, dark-haired. And a decent actor too, dammit! No Laboefs or Radcliffes allowed.

- Wierding: If they cut the wierding modules out like the stupid mini-series did, I'll be right pissed off! Umm, yeah that was a lie. Wierding modules and geometric shields have no place in Dune. If the filmmakers are smart, they'll realize that Dune already has all the trendy slow-mo kung-fu fighting that they need to appeal to such audiences. Even the way Frank describes the fighting, fits perfectly into that Matrix-esque slow-mo bullet-time fighting.


Yeah, so that's how to do it.

[DuneFishUK]

I've scoured the internet trying to find out what happened to the small and medium sized worms for my collection of Dune stuff, but I suspect they'd be to expensive even if I did track one down.

I play with my worm on a regular basis

Medium and small worms? The posable vinyl toy one (mine) and the Revell kit?

[A Thing of Eternity]

I've scoured the internet trying to find out what happened to the small and medium sized worms for my collection of Dune stuff, but I suspect they'd be to expensive even if I did track one down.

I play with my worm on a regular basis

Medium and small worms? The posable vinyl toy one (mine) and the Revell kit?

No, the ones that were actually used in the movie. There's one that looks about 3 feet in diameter that would make a fantastic "hunting trophy" style work head on a plaque.

[EsperandoAGodot]

- A young Paul: For Christ's sake, I hope they don't screw up casting Paul for a third time... GET IT RIGHT! Young, lean, agile, hawk-faced, dark-haired. And a decent actor too, dammit! No Laboefs or Radcliffes allowed.

Radcliffe's a pretty good actor, apparently.

[DuneFishUK]

I've scoured the internet trying to find out what happened to the small and medium sized worms for my collection of Dune stuff, but I suspect they'd be to expensive even if I did track one down.

I play with my worm on a regular basis

Medium and small worms? The posable vinyl toy one (mine) and the Revell kit?

No, the ones that were actually used in the movie. There's one that looks about 3 feet in diameter that would make a fantastic "hunting trophy" style work head on a plaque.

Oh... ah - hmm .. that would be incredible. I want to make one now

[DuneFishUK]

- A young Paul: For Christ's sake, I hope they don't screw up casting Paul for a third time... GET IT RIGHT! Young, lean, agile, hawk-faced, dark-haired. And a decent actor too, dammit! No Laboefs or Radcliffes allowed.

Radcliffe's a pretty good actor, apparently.

I'm not a potter fan but Dune could do a hell of a lot worse than Radcliffe.

[Drunken Idaho]

- A young Paul: For Christ's sake, I hope they don't screw up casting Paul for a third time... GET IT RIGHT! Young, lean, agile, hawk-faced, dark-haired. And a decent actor too, dammit! No Laboefs or Radcliffes allowed.

Radcliffe's a pretty good actor, apparently.

I'm not a potter fan but Dune could do a hell of a lot worse than Radcliffe.

If they cast him, they'd have to cast Mclachlan as Duke Leto. Look at the resemblance!

[Nekhrun]

Drunken, if you turn your sig into something with kja's face stomping on FH then you might have something.

[SandRider]

with brian as the grimace slinking off out of frame ...

[Tleszer]

Drunken, if you turn your sig into something with kja's face stomping on FH then you might have something.

with brian as the grimace slinking off out of frame ...

I concur!

[Sole Man]

I'll vote for Mclachklan mothered Radcliff...

[halcyo]

(as for the rain - forget the rain. Stop the movie a couple of mins early and watch the "History will call us wives" deleted scene on Youtube.)

whoa whoa whoa, what video is this!? I can't find it anywhere!

[Tleszer]

Also, the sandworms probably should look less like a penis. The Catholics might be offended by the messianic hero riding atop a giant dick.

[DuneFishUK]

(as for the rain - forget the rain. Stop the movie a couple of mins early and watch the "History will call us wives" deleted scene on Youtube.)

whoa whoa whoa, what video is this!? I can't find it anywhere!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mhP50BlHH2I

(You can see why the movie execs didn't like it though )

[Sole Man]

Also, the sandworms probably should look less like a penis. The Catholics might be offended by the messianic hero riding atop a giant dick.

If that's the case, Make 'em look more dick-like!

Hire H.R. Giger, that outta do the trick...

[halcyo]

(as for the rain - forget the rain. Stop the movie a couple of mins early and watch the "History will call us wives" deleted scene on Youtube.)

whoa whoa whoa, what video is this!? I can't find it anywhere!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mhP50BlHH2I

(You can see why the movie execs didn't like it though )

Youtube says this video is not available in my country. WTF does THAT mean!? Damn I really wanna see it!

[Freakzilla]

(as for the rain - forget the rain. Stop the movie a couple of mins early and watch the "History will call us wives" deleted scene on Youtube.)

whoa whoa whoa, what video is this!? I can't find it anywhere!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mhP50BlHH2I

(You can see why the movie execs didn't like it though )

Youtube says this video is not available in my country. WTF does THAT mean!? Damn I really wanna see it!

Same here.

[DuneFishUK]

(as for the rain - forget the rain. Stop the movie a couple of mins early and watch the "History will call us wives" deleted scene on Youtube.)

whoa whoa whoa, what video is this!? I can't find it anywhere!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mhP50BlHH2I

(You can see why the movie execs didn't like it though )

Youtube says this video is not available in my country. WTF does THAT mean!? Damn I really wanna see it!

Eh? Hmmm... you want to stop living in the wrong country.

Luckily Youtube vids are dead easy to rip

http://ghafla.dribble-sponge.co.uk/wives.flv

(edit: fix'd / edit2: and more better)

[Rakis]

(as for the rain - forget the rain. Stop the movie a couple of mins early and watch the "History will call us wives" deleted scene on Youtube.)

whoa whoa whoa, what video is this!? I can't find it anywhere!

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mhP50BlHH2I

(You can see why the movie execs didn't like it though )

Youtube says this video is not available in my country. WTF does THAT mean!? Damn I really wanna see it!

Same here.

Not available in the US?

That's it...GOD is Canadian...

[trang]

Well I luv the lynch film, I believe it captured some "majestic essence" of the book. In a couple different interviews, FH himself explains the "liberties" that Lynch took. Lynch is a bizzare in the first place, but got some of it right. Ridley Scott dropping off the project I think cursed it, I believe he would have done it justice.

"Visualization is its own language", quote from FH/Lynch audio interview.

Acccuracy wise, the Scifi Dune/COD was much closer, but suffered from some bad casting (actor chosen for paul was bad, gurney, stilgar, etc). I like it though.

Now we have the next attempt coming with a complete nimrod director who has no idea what the book is about. Some saving grace is that the producers are from the team who did the Scifi channel series so maybe a little hope.

I believe the first three books are and can be made into an epic set of films. Someone who actually understands the books, has a passion for them, and has the backing would do well. The remaning three that would be a chore, but is doable, I think would take some effort.

All we can do is hope and keep pressing the issue for the readers not to look at the POPSCIFI space opera shit that P&B purvey under FH's name and legacy.

Trang