As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the vast and intricate universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune, I find myself both captivated and somewhat bewildered by the upcoming series, Dune: Prophecy. Having lived through the grandeur of Denis Villeneuve’s cinematic adaptation, it feels as though we are venturing into uncharted territory – akin to a Bene Gesserit navigating the complexities of the Landsraad.
Experiencing the enigma of Dune: Prophecy is not about finding an answer, but living through the event itself – and it’s adapted from a particular book within the extensive Dune series.
Frank Herbert’s Dune was once considered difficult to adapt successfully. Alejandro Jodorowsky’s ambitious 14-hour draft fell apart, while David Lynch’s 1984 film failed because it attempted – and ultimately couldn’t – condense the sprawling science fiction novel into a single movie.
Leaving Syfy’s television versions aside, as they are surprisingly well-done, Denis Villeneuve managed the unthinkable with both Dune movies: visually breathtaking, complex yet coherent films that faithfully pay tribute to their influential origin. Moreover, he’s already preparing for Dune 3.
Following their recent triumphs, Warner Bros and HBO are poised to kick off the initial expansion of their Duniverse with “Dune: Prophecy”, a tale that transports us back thousands of years in the history of Arrakis. Here’s a book you might find intriguing in this context.
Dune: Prophecy is based on Sisterhood of Dune
As a dedicated fan of the Dune universe, I’ve been captivated by the storyline unfolding in “Dune: Prophecy,” which draws heavily from the rich tapestry woven in Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s 2012 novel, “Sisterhood of Dune.” It serves as the opening chapter in their epic trilogy, the Great Schools of Dune.
The story unfolds 83 years post the Battle of Corrin, with Faykan Butler as the inaugural Emperor, governing the entire universe under the Imperium. Simultaneously, Vorian Atreides, the first to bear the Atreides name in generations, retreats from politics, whereas Raquella Berto-Anirul initiates the Bene Gesserit and becomes their initial Reverend Mother.
Here enters Valya Harkonnen, who has a couple of objectives: she aims to restore the power of her family and seek retribution against Vorian Atreides.
Dune: Prophecy is different from the book
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but acknowledge that Sisterhood of Dune served as a solid basis for Dune: Prophecy, yet it’s crucial to note that this series deviates slightly from the get-go.
In the books, Raquella lays the foundation for the Bene Gesserit, but the series seems to focus more on the endeavors of Valya Harkonnen and her sister Tula. The show’s tagline suggests that it will follow “two Harkonnen sisters as they battle forces endangering humanity’s future and create the legendary order that will be known as the Bene Gesserit.
Beyond this, it’s uncertain what role Raquella may play in the narrative. Although she’s billed as a guest character (portrayed by Cathy Tyson), the trailers seem to hint that it will be Valya who is destined to become the first Reverend Mother instead.
In addition, you’ll find characters named Javicco Corrino and Empress Natalya, who were specifically developed for the series, and are not part of the original content.
Jordan Goldberg, one of the executive producers for Dune: Prophecy, has consistently stated that it is a “close adaption” or “loosely based on” The Sisterhood of Dune.
“I think that trilogy kind of tells that story that keeps going in the other two books. So, naturally, we move out there in the other two books as well, taking what we need from it to tell our story. And we also get to tell a new story that’s not in the books and that is about Valya Harkonnen’s stewardship of the Sisterhood,” he told Screen Rant.
In essence, it seems that the upcoming adaptation may stray from the original novel more than Villeneuve’s movies have done. If you’re a dedicated Dune fan, be aware and ready for some differences.
How does Sisterhood of Dune connect to the other books?
The Sisterhood of Dune novel, being the 17th in the series, has a somewhat disputed position within the complete narrative.
I’m going to keep this as simple as possible. Frank Herbert, Dune’s original author, wrote six novels in total: Dune, Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune. He died in 1986, and 13 years later, his son Brian and sci-fi writer Kevin J. Anderson revived the franchise.
They started off by delving into the Prelude to Dune trilogy, which encompassed House Atreides, House Harkonnen, and House Corrino, laying the foundation for the first book and delving into the histories of its characters. Following this, they moved on to the Legends of Dune trilogy, consisting of The Butlerian Jihad (to be explained later), The Machine Crusade, and The Battle of Corrin, and then the Heroes of Dune series, featuring Paul of Dune, The Winds of Dune, and Princess of Dune. Lastly, they initiated the Great Schools of Dune series with Sisterhood of Dune.
Briefly, the work of Herbert and Anderson in the Duniverse has consistently drawn both praise and criticism. While some enthusiasts appreciate their expansive additions, others argue that these creations lack the depth and storytelling richness needed for a satisfying experience.
The way the duo portrayed their perspective on the Butlerian Jihad caused quite a stir within the fanbase. In the books, this was a struggle and uprising against artificial intelligence; more precisely, devices designed to mimic human cognition.
Eventually, these machines were forbidden, as those resembling human intelligence were disassembled and outlawed. This incident, reminiscent in Herbert’s novels, sparked debate among fans who felt the portrayal in the expansions oversimplified the conflict, likening it to a simplistic battle between humans and artificial intelligence, similar to the Terminator series.
As an ardent fan, I find myself questioning the extent of certain elements in Herbert and Anderson’s novels that are universally accepted as canonical. Yet, this topic sparks heated debates. Nevertheless, when it comes to Sisterhood in Dune, there’s no denying its undeniable connection to the original stories – at least on a theoretical level.
Is Dune: Prophecy canon?
In the universe built by Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Prophecy is considered canonical, meaning it aligns with the story and rules set within that specific world. However, when considering the entire Dune saga, Dune: Prophecy may not strictly adhere to the established timeline or events of the franchise as a whole.
Imagine it’s like the world of Game of Thrones. As George R.R. Martin clarified: “There are two bodies of work. One is the Game of Thrones series on TV, and another is the Song of Ice and Fire books… there are actually two separate narratives. Since most of the shows we’re creating are prequels, I believe there is only one consistent storyline.
In the same interconnected world as both Dune and Dune: Part Two, the story of Dune: Prophecy takes place. While all three stories contribute to their own unique narrative timeline, they don’t follow a strictly sequential order as outlined by Frank Herbert and his son Brian Herbert.
Villeneuve’s role in the series is somewhat reduced compared to initial plans. Originally, he was set to direct and produce the pilot, while Jon Spaihts served as showrunner. However, due to criticism regarding the absence of female creatives and alleged subpar performance by Spaihts on the project, Legendary Television opted to replace him with Alison Schapker. Diane Ademu-John was also brought on board as a co-showrunner, but she later moved into an executive producer role.
In the thick of Dune: Part Two’s intensifying production process, I found myself stepping away from the series, with my producer role no longer visible on the credits (though unofficially, I’m hoping for an Executive Producer credit in the pilot episode of Prophecy).
According to Goldberg’s explanation, “Denis has his own franchise that he’s currently managing, leaving us to create a platform for the new characters and worlds in our story. This is thrilling as our narrative moves beyond Arrakis, allowing us to explore new destinations.
However, his actions were highly inspiring, aiming to create an extensive, engaging experience for us. We had an exceptional team, both on and off-screen, who gave their all, resulting in a remarkable production that truly shines.
On November 17th, the premiere of Dune: Prophecy will air on HBO. For additional Dune-related content, explore where Dune 2 was shot, delve into the genealogy of the Atreides and Harkonnen families, and peruse our analysis of the Water of Life. Additionally, you can discover other TV shows streaming this month.
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2024-11-13 18:19