Has there been a greater bag-fumble in the past three years than Warner Bros. committing to their disastrous decision to do same-day releases in theaters and on HBO Max after the COVID vaccine was available? It’s doubtful, especially how strong their slate was for the back half of 2021 — you had solid potential hits like Malignant, King Richard, and The Suicide Squad all smothered in the crib by the strategy — and a genuine, bona fide cultural event like Denis Villeneuve’s Dune was nearly let to rot in the sun, had audiences not collectively realized that they should probably see that film on the big screen. It wasn’t even clear if the film would be getting its complimentary installment (we hesitate to use the word “sequel”) until the receipts came in. To polish off that point, there’s a throughline between that fuck-up and Batgirl getting canceled (and who knew Elizabeth Warren really wanted to see that one?).
But at least Dune: Part Two has been a priority for them in the last few years, and Warner Bros. dropped a trailer for the film earlier on Wednesday. And holy shit give it to us now.
Peep it:
Here’s the synopsis, and here’s also a word to the wise: Do not, we repeat, do not go out and buy Dune Messiah if you somehow think that’s what this sequel is based on (it’s based on the second half of Dune, and you’ll be really fucking confused. Don’t do it):
“‘Dune: Part Two’ will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”
Dune: Part Two awakens on November 3. If you’re attending a screening in the Boston area and you see a group of bagpipers blaring out the House Atreidis theme, be sure to tip them well because we sure could use the money.