In a breathtaking cinematic universe where sand dunes rise like mountains and the fate of galaxies hangs in the balance, Denis VilleneuveThe first journey in Frank Herbert's “Dune” saga garnered six of its ten Oscar nominations. Yet in a twist as dramatic as Dr. Wellington's murder of Duke Leto, Villeneuve found himself overlooked in the Best Director category – a snub that left fans (and pundits) in disbelief. I challenge the leadership of the Academy Directors to once again commit such an omission.
As “Dune: Part Two” unfolds, we dive back into the treacherous universe alongside Paul Atreides, played by the always charismatic Timothée Chalamet. Seeking revenge for the death of his father (Oscar Isaac), Paul's journey involves new allies and enemies, represented by a constellation of stars, including ZendayaRebecca Ferguson, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem and Christopher Walken.
Villeneuve, a contemporary maestro of cinema, has spent more than a decade creating genre-defining narratives – from the suspenseful “Prisoners” to the action-packed “Sicario” and the thought-provoking “Arrival.” His work, particularly in the realm of science fiction, has not always received the recognition it deserves, a fate shared by many genre films before him. Yet Villeneuve's “Dune: Part Two” aims to break the cycle as its predecessors such as “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Star Wars” once did. However, for every triumph, there are those defeated (or ignored), no matter how acclaimed and beloved they may be, such as “The Empire Strikes Back” (1980), “Blade Runner” (1982) and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”. (1991).
The first “Dune” became the sixth film in Oscar history to be nominated in all seven technical categories after “Titanic” (1997), “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” (2003) and “Hugo ” (2011). , “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “The Revenant” (2015). He could probably repeat in these same categories with nominations (maybe even wins?) for production design (Patrice Vermette, Zsuzsanna Sipios, Shane Vieau), cinematography (Greig Fraser), costume design ( Jacqueline West), film editing (Joe Walker), original music (Hans Zimmer), makeup and hairstyling, sound and visual effects (all eligible nominees TBD).
With just one nomination under his belt for “Arrival,” Villeneuve’s aspirations for “Dunes 2“It's not just about personal accolades, but also about challenging the Academy's historic reluctance to fully embrace genre films, especially those released in the first quarter of the year. Anticipation for the finale tentatively titled “Dune: Messiah”, albeit in the shadow of a very early pre-production, adds another layer of excitement and speculation about the future of the saga.
Everett / Warner Bros.
The first broadcast of “Dune” set a benchmark by being nominated in all seven technical categories – one of only six films to achieve this feat. As “Dune: Part Two” opens to the general public, next year's Oscars are also expected to reserve a spot for the visual spectacle among the top 10 nominated films.
However, there is still the fear of what an upcoming third film may do to a film's awards prospects, essentially giving industry voters permission to “wait until the third” to award the franchise . This mindset was a factor that led to the underperformance of Peter Jackson's second feature film, “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (2002), which arrived a year after “The Fellowship of The Ring” garnered the most nominations with 13, winning four. The epic finale, “The Return of the King,” won the Academy Awards the following year, tying the all-time record for most wins for a film with 11.
The film's climactic scene foreshadows what's to come, but also features a moment where audiences gaze upon a stellar line-up of young Hollywood royalty – Chalamet, Zendaya, Butler and Pugh – each bringing their unique talents to the story. This moment is not only about the convergence of stars, but also a harbinger of a bright future for the industry. Like social media's obsession with following the cast of Tate Taylor's 2011 drama “The Help,” whose members have won five Oscars so far, I imagine similar debates will take place over whether which of the four will win an Oscar. Oscar first (not for this film), and who will have the most nominations by the end of their career. Chalamet (“Call Me By Your Name”), Butler (“Elvis”) and Pugh (“Little Women”) all already have Oscar nominations, while Zendaya is still waiting for hers while holding on to her two acting Emmys main drama for “Euphoria”.
In Oscar history, only two separate trilogies have had all of their films receive Best Picture nominations: “The Godfather” and “The Lord of the Rings.” As “Dune 2” attempts to enter that arena, it carries the hopes of an entire genre looking to claim its rightful place in the spotlight.
The 2025 Oscars will take place in a year, but still without a date. Releasing a film in the first quarter of the calendar year, running a large-scale awards campaign, and staying in the debate can be a difficult path to follow. The Warner Bros. awards team can build on successes such as the best picture winner “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991) and the superhero film “Black Panther” (2015), both released in FEBRUARY. But with every new film released or premiered at a film festival between now and the end of the year, there's a new buzz that will need to be overcome.
A lingering question has persisted since I saw “Dune 2.” If the film had kept its original release date of October 20, 2023, would it have been nominated for the upcoming 96th Academy Awards, where Christopher Nolan's “Oppenheimer” is poised to dominate? While we'll never know for sure, I would have bet on it as a winner in production design and visual effects, with a much lighter nominal result than its predecessor. Sometimes waiting can be a good thing.
Ultimately, Villeneuve's “Dune” is a testament to his exceptional storytelling talent. As we wait for the next installment, one thing is clear: the journey through the dunes is far from over and its legacy is only just beginning.