I’m probably just overthinking it.
Obviously that was the point of the author, but yes it’s overthinking it. You can’t expect to tell the entire story and multiple complex themes (ecology, politics, the dangers of charismatic figures, etc.) of an 800 page novel into a 2.5 hour film. To successfully adapt an “unadaptable” book and appeal to the lowest common denominator movie-watcher, you need to pick and choose.
In this case, Denis chose the dangers of charismatic/messianic figures as the the central theme of his adaptation. That and the love story between Paul and Chani, the latter of which he gave a bigger role compared to the books. I do agree on some of the author’s points and wish the movie included more things from the books, but you can only fit so much into a movie. Hell, they probably could’ve made just the first book into a trilogy in itself, then Messiah as the fourth and conclusion.
Sometimes I wonder why these sorts of films are not made into TV series with hour long episodes. Seems the most fitting format
My cynical answer is that much of the public doesn’t want a multi hour intellectual exercise. Same reason books don’t sell particularly well.
Intellectuals are really boring to listen to, yes.
When they write books, they include so much details that it’s extreamly boring to read through it all.
Because they enjoy all those details and most people won’t care about them.
I’m talking out of my ass, but I’m guessing the return is bigger for a blockbuster film compared to a series, especially with how expensive a film like this costs. Also, the cinematography and set designs are really built for a large screen. I would love a limited series (like they did with the Sci-Fi one) to really get into the details of the books, but I can’t imagine seeing something as gorgeous as Dune Part Two only on a TV screen.
I think there has been talks of adapting the series to TV before, and obv there’s the mini-series which gave it a red hot go, but the answer is usually money.
Agree with the author on a lot of points, but I don’t really think it would have been that hard to explain the choice that Paul is making a little bit better. Just a bit more fighting with Chani, maybe a real empassioned “I chose you!” from Paul, it would not have added too much length to the movie. It seems like Villenue kinda wanted the vagueness, which is a little confusing since a third movie still hasn’t been confirmed by any studio. You can leave off on an unsatisfying cliffhanger when you know you have a movie coming to explain it, so maybe Villenue is just really confident, but this would honestly be one of the weakest adaptations if a third movie doesn’t materialize.