Dune: Prophecy - General Discussion

[BetterButter]

Dune’ HBO Max Series Enlists Diane Ademu-John as New Showrunner

[SnarkShark]

Spinoffs for things that haven't even released? 

[BlackberryJam]

4 hours ago, SnarkShark said:

Spinoffs for things that haven't even released? 

Dune is actually a book series, already has one movie treatment (David Lynch) and a mini series of the first three books (SyFy). So while the new movie tie-in will help, the show isn’t based solely on the movie.

I love the Bene Gesserit from the books. The Dune series is such a rich and varied world. 

[Tom Holmberg]

On 7/24/2021 at 11:11 AM, SnarkShark said:

Spinoffs for things that haven't even released? 

So you think its over-Dune?

[BetterButter]

‘Dune’ Prequel Series at HBO Max Taps ‘Chernobyl’ Director Johan Renck to Helm First Two Episodes

[AnimeMania]

Dune: The Sisterhood is still going forward at HBO Max, they are about to do the casting now.

[BetterButter]

Emily Watson and Shirley Henderson to star in HBO Max’s Dune prequel series

[BetterButter]

‘Dune: The Sisterhood’: ‘Game Of Thrones’ & ‘Obi-Wan’ Star Indira Varma Joins HBO Max & Legendary Prequel Series As Empress Natalya

[BetterButter]

Former viking Travis Fimmel joins HBO Max’s Dune prequel series

[isalicat]

On 11/8/2022 at 7:21 PM, BetterButter said:

Former viking Travis Fimmel joins HBO Max’s Dune prequel series

 I am so there. Anyone else here particularly interesting in this series and casting so far?

[BlackberryJam]

10 hours ago, isalicat said:

 I am so there. Anyone else here particularly interesting in this series and casting so far?

Me!

[badhaggis]

I'm really looking forward to this if it is done well. So far the choices for actors are very impressive!

[BlackberryJam]

I'm fascinated by this side of the Dune universe, but haven't read the Brian Herbert books. I tried. I can't. 

This isn't the book thread, but I think Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather might be of interest to Bene Gesserit fans. 

Edited November 10, 2022 by BlackberryJam

[badhaggis]

13 minutes ago, BlackberryJam said:

I'm fascinated by this side of the Dune universe, but haven't read the Brian Herbert books. I tried. I can't. 

This isn't the book thread, but I thing Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather might be of interest to Bene Gesserit fans. 

God I loved the book. He created a complete universe not just as background for the major characters. I hope that makes sense! 

[isalicat]

Yeah, I will chime in here to say that the original Dune and (less so) one or two of the sequels together are quite the masterpiece in universe building. Especially the original. I read Sisters of the Vast Black and (IMO!) found it thin, polemic and predictable. Not even in the same league, despite my hopeful expectations (nuns in space!).

Anyways, the casting for this series is superb so if we are lucky enough to have good writers who can riff off the already created reality to supply a brilliant backstory then it should be wonder-filled.

[paulvdb]

‘Dune: The Sisterhood’: Director Johan Renck & Star Shirley Henderson Exit HBO Max Series Amid Creative Overhaul & Production Hiatus

[Affogato]

The Bene Gesserit operated within the patriarchy and used the patriarchy against itself, while working to create the a man to rule them all. It was very odd and i would really like to see whatever could be made of it, although i'm not sure that is what I'd see. Assuming the show is made, at this point.

[AnimeMania]

‘Dune: The Sisterhood’ Adds Olivia Williams, Jodhi May Following Cast Exits; Anna Foerster Boards as Director

Olivia Williams playing Tula Harkonnen and Jodhi May playing Natalya, join “Dune: The Sisterhood” while Shirley Henderson and Indira Varma depart. Anna Foerster is now the director of the series, replacing Johan Renck.

Set in the world of “Dune” 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, the series follows the Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit. The prequel is based on the novel “Sisterhood of Dune” by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

[AnimeMania]

Dune: The Sisterhood has changed the name of the show to Dune: Prophecy.

[BetterButter]

‘Dune: Prophecy’ Casts Indian Superstar Tabu

[AnimeMania]

[tv echo]

Dune: Prophecy Set for Fall Debut — Watch Teaser Trailer for Max Prequel Series
BY MATT WEBB MITOVICH   MAY 15, 2024 
https://tvline.com/trailers/dune-prophecy-prequel-series-release-date-trailer-1235239517/ 

Quote

Max‘s Dune: Prophecy prequel series will hit your screens this fall, HBO CEO Casey Bloys announced on Wednesday morning during Warner Bros. Discovery’s Upfront presentation. A first-look teaser for the six=episode season was also revealed, as seen above.

Ordered to series way back in June 2019 — before the streamer fka HBO Max had any name, and well ahead of Dune: Part One‘s October 2021 release — Dune: Prophecy is set 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet in the film franchise). It follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind and in turn establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.
*  *  *
The Dune: Prophecy cast includes Olivia Williams (Counterpart) and Emily Watson (Chernobyl) as Tula and Valya Harkonnen, two sisters who have risen to power in the Sisterhood, a secret organization of women who will go on to become the Bene Gesserit; Jodhi May (The Witcher) as Empress Natalya, a formidable royal who united thousands of worlds in her marriage to Emperor Corrin; Travis Fimmel (Vikings) as Desmond Hart, a charismatic soldier with an enigmatic past; plus Sarah-Sofie Boussnina (Knightfall), Shalom Brune-Franklin (The Tourist), Aoife Hinds (Normal People), Chloe Lea (Foundation) and Faoileann Cunningham (The Northman).

Additionally, Indian superstar Tabu will recur as Sister Francesca, once a great love of the Emperor, The End of the F**king World‘s Jessica Barden will play a young version of Watson’s character, and South Korean actress/musician Jihae will guest-star as Reverend Mother Kasha, the Emperor’s Truthsayer and confidant.

Edited May 16 by tv echo

[crowceilidh]

Brian Herbert's Dune books are pretty unreadable if you are expecting Frank Herbert's Dune.  However, this does not make them unsuitable for TV; I expect they are more suitable than Frank Herbert's novels which are too densely and subtextually written to translate to 2 or 3 dimensions.

Edited May 18 by crowceilidh

[DanaK]

Shifting to broadcast on HBO (and still stream on Max)

https://deadline.com/2024/07/the-penguin-dune-prophecy-hbo-1236006935/

[DanaK]

More info on the move

https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/the-penguin-dune-prophecy-hbo-originals-max-1236067076/

[BetterButter]

 

[BetterButter]

 

[paulvdb]

HBO Original Drama Series "Dune: Prophecy" Debuts November 17

The season will have six episodes.

[AnimeMania]

Dune: Prophecy is a 6 episode TV Series airing on November 17, 2024 on HBO at   9pm. Dune: Prophecy is based on the Dune Books by Frank Herbert, but more closely based on the novel Sisterhood of Dune, by Frank Herbert’s son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. The TV Series is set 30 years after the events of Sisterhood of Dune book and 10,000 years before Paul Atreides and the events in the Dune movies, Dune: Part One (2021), Dune: Part Two (2024), and the upcoming Dune: Messiah/(Dune: Part Three).  

Dune: Prophecy's focus on the Bene Gesserit of Rossak, this all-female sect occupy positions of influence in the halls of power, but they also operate in the shadows and engage in espionage, sabotage, romantic entanglements, and an abundance of manipulation. The "Reverend Mother", the head of the Bene Gesserit Order has the unique ability to access the memories of all Reverend Mothers who came before. The "Reverend Mother", with a knowledge of the past and present, attempts to architect/design the future. At this early date, the Bene Gesserit Sect is still coming into existence, with two women as the driving force behind its rise to prominence. Valya and Tula Harkonnen, biological sisters, extremely important members of this new Sisterhood.

Valya Harkonnen, she is a girl whose "Noble" family has experienced a tremendous fall from power and has lost its royal status as their name is associated with traitors and cowards. Valya dreams of restoring their name to a place she feels is rightfully theirs. The Emperor Javicco Corrino stands in her way, but he has a tenuous hold on the human-occupied universe, as the Emperor faces threats from an anti-technology Butlerian movement. 

The Bene Gesserit plans are in jeopardy when the Emperor sends Princess Anna Corrino to learn the ways of the Bene Gesserit, who wish to steer humanity on a noble course and save humankind by genetically engineering a supreme being, in a process that may take many centuries. This means making difficult choices that may not seem beneficial in the short term.

Rakie Ayola as Reverend Mother Superior Raquella Berto-Anirul

Emily Watson as Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen, Tula's older sister, the second person to become Reverend Mother Superior of the Bene Gesserit Order.

Jessica Barden as Young Valya Harkonnen

Olivia Williams as Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen

Mark Addy as Evgeny Harkonnen

Edward Davis as Harrow Harkonnen

Jihae as Reverend Mother Kasha

Yerin Ha as Young Kasha

Tabu as Sister Francesca, a strong, intelligent, and alluring, Sister Francesca leaves a lasting impression in her wake. A former lover of the Emperor, her return to the palace strains the balance of power in the capital. 

Charithra Chandran as Young Francesca

Jade Anouka as Sister Theodosia, a talented and ambitious acolyte at the Sisterhood who harbors a dangerous secret about her past.

Aoife Hinds as Sister Emeline

Chloe Lea as Sister Lila

Shalom Brune-Franklin as Mikaela

Faoileann Cunningham as Sister Jen

Mark Strong as Emperor Javicco Corrino, a man from a great line of war-time Emperors, who is called upon to govern the Imperium and manage a fragile peace.

Jodhi May as Empress Natalya Arat

Charlie Hodson-Prior as the young Richese prince      

Josh Heuston as Constantine Corrino

Sarah-Sofie Boussnina as Princess Ynez Corrino

Chris Mason as Keiran Atreides, an Atreides Swordmaster to a Great House, who forms an unexpected connection to a member of the royal family.

Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart, a loyal soldier to the Emperor 

[sugarbaker design]

I never read the books, nor have I seen the movies. Yet I'm intrigued by the commercials I've seen. Can I go into this blind?

[AnimeMania]

22 minutes ago, sugarbaker design said:

I never read the books, nor have I seen the movies. Yet I'm intrigued by the commercials I've seen. Can I go into this blind?

The show is set 10,000 years before the movies, but only 30 years after the events in the "Sisterhood of Dune" book, unless you want to read that book first, I would think it would be safe to go into the show blind.

[DoctorAtomic]

I'd at least read a summary of Dune and Dune Messiah to get the gist of the universe. What the spice is, why it's important. 

I would think a well enough written show, you'd be able to pick up on the lay of the land; Great Houses, all that. 

[aghst]

Initial reviews seem middling.

[DoctorAtomic]

I don't think I'm going to bother until the season runs its course to see if it gets canceled like everything else, or at least ends in a complete story. There's only like 6,8? episodes anyway. 

I've read maybe 90% of all the Dune books because I like the universe, and I don't think Brian Herbert is nearly as poor as people make him out to be. It's kind of getting oversaturated, but I might at least read these 'great society' books or whatever they're called; Sisterhood, Mentats, Suk. 

I read the first ones from the jihad through to the establishment of the Great Houses and liked those. And all the sequels. 

[AnimeMania]

Here are some general things occurring in the Dune Universe around the time of this TV Series that might make the TV Show easier to understand.

Spoiler

Many people seem to gain powers after going through some "unbearable" trauma.

Cymek: a robot body with a human brain 

Butlerian Jihad: The war against thinking machines where robots enslaved all humans, but eventually the humans won. There are small pockets of robots that are hiding in the shadows. Some people still use computers, but they have to keep that fact hidden or face the Butlerians wrath.

Butlerians: The fighters from the thinking machines war recruit citizens to continue their fight to destory all machines, and technology, after the war ended.

Vorian Atreides: hero of the Butlerian Jihad, genetically modified to age extremely slowly. Probably still alive during this TV Series.

Corrino Family: appointed Emperors after the thinking machines war  

Mentat School: trains humans how to use their brains to work like / replace computers 

Bene Gesserit: (The Sisterhood) a group of woman who want to shape the future, they maintain a large human genetic database, that can provide matchmaking information to curtail mutations for Noble families. They also provide suitable marriage partners from their female students as well as train women as human "lie detectors" for governments and corporations. Select Bene Gesserit student's might undergo a deadly process to be transformed into the next Mother Superior, the success rate is practically zero. The Mother Superior has the abilty to know everything her previous ancestor's knew, Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen is only the 2nd Mother Superior. 

Navigators: Venport Holdings uses humans altered by large amounts of "spice melange" to navigate spaceships safely across interstellar space without the help of computers. "Spice melange" is a "drug" found on the planet Arrakis (Dune), the planet with the giant sand worms.