Denis Villeneuve Responds to Quentin Tarantino Refusing to Watch Dune: I Dont Care
By Isaiah Colbert Published November 8, 2024 | Comments (14) | Denis Villeneuve with Dune series stars Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin. Warner Bros. Its safe to say that director Denis Villeneuves Dune films are spectacular, both as works of cinema and in how they adapt author Frank Herberts best-selling sci-fi novels in a way that anyone can enjoy watching, whether they are longtime or newfound fans. However, fellow director Quentin Tarantino expressed a lack of interest in the films, to which Villeneuve coolly replied, I dont care. Before we dive into this story, it should be stated that neither partys comments mean they harbor hard feelings for the other, regardless of how badly film Twitter wants them to throw disses at each other like Kendrick Lamar and Drake. The discourse started last week after Tarantinos appearance on episode of The Bret Easton Ellis Podcast. In the interview, Tarantino revealed hed watched David Lynchs 1984 Dune film, starring Kyle MacLachlan, a handful of timesand doesnt see the point in revisiting its story through Villeneuves lens. I dont need to see that story again, Tarantino said. I dont need to see spice worms. I dont need to see a movie that says the word spice so dramatically.While theres some sense of irony in Tarantinos adoration for Lynchs film, considering Lynch wants nothing to do with it, Tarantino further elaborated his point by contextualizing it as part of his general fatigue with remakes in Hollywood, using FXs Shgunas another example. I saw Shogun in the 80s. I watched all 13 hours. Im good. I dont need to see that story again, I dont care how they do it, Tarantino continued. I dont care if they take me and put me in ancient Japan in a time machine. I dont care, Ive seen the story. But of course, headlines tend to be where the majority of readers stop paying attention and sensationalize what is a pretty tame take into a damning statement. Thankfully, a curious reader crossed beyond the grabby headline and asked Villeneuve for his take on Tarantinos comments during a recent Q&A with film students at Montreals Concordia University.According to the Gazette, Villeneuves humorous I dont care led to a lot of laughter in the room. Villeneuve then dove into how he agrees and disagrees with Tarantinos take. Its true, I agree with him that I dont like this idea of recycling and bringing back old ideas, Villeneuve said. But where I disagree is that what I did was not a remake. Its an adaptation of the book. I see this as an original. But we are very different human beings.With Villeneuves third Dune film, Dune Messiah, on the horizon, theres a glimmer of hope that Tarantino will venture into theaters (or wherever he prefers to watch cinema) to check it out and see how it will adapt storylines beyond the scope of Lynchs cult-classic film. Dune Messiah does not yet have a release date, but early signs point to December 2026. In the meantime, prequel series Dune: Prophecy premieres November 17 on HBO and Max. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By Germain Lussier Published October 18, 2024 By Isaiah Colbert Published October 17, 2024 By Cheryl Eddy Published September 10, 2024 By Gordon Jackson Published August 26, 2024 By Gordon Jackson Published July 18, 2024 By Ed Cara Published July 12, 2024