Dune’s journey to the theaters has been filled with peaks and valleys as Warner Bros. and Denis Villeneuve have gone back and forth. But this journey is finally concluding with Dune’s world premiere weeks ago. Despite not being in theaters yet, the anticipated sci-fi film has already found a fan in Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao. Now, Marvel’s Eternals director has given her take on the film. Zhao explained why she’s blown away and terrified after seeing the Warner Bros. film.
Chloé Zhao gave her opinion on the sci-fi film to Sight and Sound magazine (via Indiewire). Given Zhao’s work on Eternals, she might have a better understanding of what goes into a tentpole film. So, after seeing Dune, Marvel’s Eternals director couldn’t help but give her thoughts. When speaking on Dune’s release and moviegoers, Zhao said about cinema’s future:
It gives me hope that a filmmaker like Denis is able to really harness his vision and put together something that’s so incredible, so cinematic. I’m just blown away by the experience I had in that room. But I’m terrified about how many people are or aren’t going to have that experience like I did, in a theatre, and what that means for the future.
Chloé Zhao made Dune feel like the next big film most audiences need to see in a theater. But Zhao was right to worry about theaters as moviegoers are wary of rising COVID-19 concerns. She was hyping the film almost as if she worked for Warner Bros. The way she described the sci-fi film painted Denis Villeneuve’s vision as something meant for the big screen. As the Oscar winner pointed out, that experience, as well as cinema, maybe holding on by a thread. But as previously mentioned, Dune’s trek to theaters has been a rollercoaster.
Upon hearing Warner Bros.’s hybrid plan for its films, Denis Villeneuve couldn’t help but express his thoughts on the decision. Many Dune stars and filmmakers supported Villeneuve’s impassioned statement. Even original Dune star Kyle MacLachlan expressed his disheartenment over Warner Bros.’ decision. Unfortunately, the drama was compacted by the sci-fi film experiencing several pushbacks. On the plus side, Villeneuve was able to film a new epic opening. But that hasn’t stopped the film’s stars from telling some nice stories about seeing the film.
Even before the film has been released, Dune star Jason Momoa has thrown out the idea of a possible Villeneuve cut. But let’s get Dune in theaters first before talking about a director’s cut. Thankfully, Denis Villeneuve has someone like Chloe Zhao championing the director’s view. In the meantime, moviegoers won’t have to wait much longer for both films. Denis Villeneuve’s Dune will arrive in theaters and on HBO Max on Oct. 22 with Chloé Zhao’s Eternals arrives in theaters on Nov. 5.
