The series is set in the Dune universe, created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert. The action takes place 10,000 years before the time of Paul Atreides. “Dune: Prophecy” follows the fate of two Harkonnen sisters who fight against forces that threaten the future of humanity. The women establish a legendary order, which in the future will become famous as the Bene Gesserit order – we read in the description HBO Max.
“Dune: Prophecy” was based on the novel's motifs “The Sisterhood of Dune” by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Work on the series began in 2019. He was supposed to direct the first episode himself Denis Villeneuve, and the script will be written by Jon Spaihts.
“The Bene Gesserit have always fascinated me. I found centering the series around this powerful community not only relevant and inspiring, but also provides a dynamic backdrop for a television series” – he said in one of the interviews.
Shortly after the news about the start of work on the series was announced, the project was criticized for the absence of female creators on the team. The only woman on board was Herbert's granddaughter, Kim Herbert. Dana Calvo was soon hired as showrunner, but she resigned from the series to work on the second part of the film “Dunes”. Apparently Legendary Television was not happy with Jon Spaihts' work, so they fired him. After many subsequent changes, Alison Schapker became the showrunner, executive producer and writer. The first episode is directed by Anna Foerster.
“Dune: Prophecy” will debut on Max this fall. The first trailer has appeared online (Look here).
The series will feature: Emily WatsonOlivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Jihae, Tabu, Charithra Chandran , Jessica Barden, Emma Canning and Yerin Ha.
Jessica Barden has joined the cast and will play the role of young Valya Harkonnen. “Ambitious, stubborn and strong, Valya Harkonnen dreams of restoring her family's noble status. When tragedy destroys her plans for the future, the heroine chooses a new path that will lead her to the famous gathering” – reported in the HBO Max press release.
“Dune” is a film adaptation of the first volume (even less) of the famous book series (published in 1965) by Frank Herbert under the same title. The story takes place in the distant future. Prince Leto Atreides and his family are sent by the Emperor to the sandy planet Arrakis, also known as Dune, from whose sands the “seasoning” – the most precious treasure in the universe, the key to heightened awareness, the source of wisdom. When the planet is given to the noble House of Atreides, the nefarious House of Harkonnen opposes it. They organize an assassination attempt on the prince. The prince's son, Paul, and his mother, Atreides' wife, escape from the Harkonnens. They both reach the indigenous inhabitants of the planet.
In 2021, the film adaptation directed by Denis Villeneuve was released in cinemas and attracted millions of viewers. Almost three years later, in March this year, the second part was released, repeating the success of the first part.
Previously for directing “Dunes” David Lynch took up the role, but his 1984 film was crushed by critics, and today it is viewed by fans of this epic story with a pinch of salt.
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