There is little doubt that Dune: Part One was already a stunning film with gorgeous cinematography that truly transported viewers to the desert planet of Arrakis. However, the movie almost didn't get made because of the original opening sequence that threatened to bankrupt the Denis Villeneuve project.
Dune: Part One opened with a gorgeous introduction to Arrakis narrated by Chani, who revealed what is truly happening on the planet, showing a war between the Fremen and the Harkonnens. It was a fitting opening sequence that set the tone for the film right before we meet Paul Atreides. However, it wasn't the original plan for the movie.
Eric Roth, who co-wrote Dune: Part One with Jon Spaihts and director Denis Villeneuve, shared an interesting description of the expensive prologue that was ultimately abandoned in an effort to save the film.
"The original opening of the movie was like [The Book of] Genesis from the Bible... and you would see the creation of a planet," Roth shared during the latest episode of the Script Apart podcast. "We think it's Earth and [instead] it's Dune, with these oddball animals and [we see] how the water went away and how the sand dunes were formed and all of that."
He continues that "it was pretty great" until the director decided it might be a little over their budget.
"Denis said 'This is magnificent but we can't afford the rest of the movie,' so that was it," Roth said with a laugh.
It certainly sounds like a grand introduction to Arrakis but we're glad that Villeneuve decided to go with one that gave us a better understanding of what was presently happening on the planet. Needless to say, it made sure we could get straight into the story and prepared us for the sequel.
Dune: Part Two is currently in production and is scheduled for release on November 17, 2023.
Related: Dune: Part Two Officially Begins Production
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