‘Dune: Prophecy’ Stars on the Prequel’s Premiere, AI Foreshadowing and Going Back to ‘10,000 Years B.C. (Before Chalamet)’

As a fan of science fiction and a student of human nature, I find myself utterly captivated by the new series “Prophecy”, a prequel to the iconic “Dune” saga. The way the creators have breathed fresh life into the world of 10,000 years B.C., crafting every detail with meticulous care, is nothing short of remarkable.

⚠️ WARNING: This article reveals plot points from the premiere of “Dune: Prophecy” titled “The Hidden Hand,” which is currently available for streaming on Max.

Approximately eight months following the release of “Dune: Part 2,” we’re ready to journey 10,000 years back in the story’s timeline with HBO’s prequel series titled “Dune: Origin.

In “Dune: Prophecy,” since it’s based on events happening far in the past, you won’t see Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen or Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan Corrino. However, their family lineages are prominently depicted. The series delves into the beginnings of the Bene Gesserit, a formidable, all-female group that covertly manipulates the political landscape of the universe. Notably, Lady Jessica and Lady Margot, portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson and Lea Seydoux in Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” films, are well-known members of this secretive order. Emily Watson and Olivia Williams play Valya and Tula Harkonnen, the sisters who head the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood in this series.

The premiere episode starts with a flashback to the Butlerian Jihad, a war waged by humans against all thinking machines that’s one of the earliest events chronicled in the “Dune” novels. The conflict wiped out (almost) every computer, House Atreides members were labeled heroes and the Harkonnens were villainized and banished. Years later, a young Valya Harkonnen is made the leader of the Bene Gesserit after the inaugural Mother Superior Raquella dies. Moments before her death, Raquella has visions of massive sandworms on Arrakis and burning flesh — an omen of what’s to come in 10,000 years.

Valya, now an adult and the head nun, is getting ready to welcome Princess Ynez Corrino (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) into the Bene Gesserit order. Her parents are Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) and Empress Natalya (Jodhi May), who have been training Ynez under the tutelage of skilled swordsman Keiran Atreides (Chris Mason). Despite their affectionate glances, Ynez is politically engaged to a nine-year-old prince from House Richese.

Simultaneously, a soldier named Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel), having lived through the assault on Arrakis, makes his way and seeks an audience with the Emperor. However, Reverend Mother Kasha (Jihae) harbors doubts about him, much like the previous Mother Superior Raquella did. Just as she did, Kasha too experiences a foreboding premonition concerning Princess Ynez’s fate.

Ynez’s wedding to the Richese boy unexpectedly takes a turn for the worse. Following their union, the miniature groom reveals a seemingly innocent robot lizard, which turns out to be a prohibited computer. This revelation causes distress among the royal attendees. Desmond promptly destroys the device before it can cause significant chaos. However, in an astounding turn of events, Desmond later encounters the Richese prince and sets him ablaze using some form of telepathic fire powers. A similar fate befell Reverend Mother Kasha as doubts about Desmond’s history start to surface.

As a passionate cinephile, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with showrunner Alison Schapker and stars Josh Watson and Katie Williams for an exclusive discussion about the premiere of “Dune”. We delved deep into their fascinating characters within the Harkonnen family and the remarkable universe we’re stepping into, which is set a staggering 10,000 years in the past. It was an enlightening experience that left me eagerly anticipating what’s to come!

How familiar were you with the world of “Dune” before signing on for “Prophecy”?

Alison Schapker: My journey with “Dune” began, similar to many others, as an enthusiast and a teenager engrossed in it while tucked away in my attic bedroom. I vividly recall reading that book. It left a profound impact on me, and over time, I pursued my life and career, delving into writing much science fiction. When whispers circulated about “Dune” being adapted for television as a series, and the possibility of my involvement, it seemed too good to be true – like an unrealized dream because such opportunities seldom materialize.

Emily Watson stated that she had watched only the initial “Dune” film. However, diving into it again was an enchanting experience. The story is dense with intricate details about its universe, yet it also presents raw, genuine human actions.

Olivia Williams: Alison provided me with a detailed, rapid guide when I asked for it. She wrote the manual herself, then walked me through each step. The technician who installed my home’s audio-visual system knelt at my feet after I mentioned Tula Harkonnen was paying him. This moment made me realize that I needed to treat this matter with gravity because many people were relying on me, and their aspirations were in my hands.

You have Denis Villeneuve’s movies as a reference of what the future looks like, but how was creating the world 10,000 years in the past?

Schapker: It involves a vast process of creating entire worlds. Since nothing is present in our world, everything must be conjured up. What about the appearance of that hat or suit or light? For me, filmmaking entails making countless small choices, and I strive to make each one thoughtfully, allowing the vision to gradually take shape. We ventured into new planets previously unexplored. On one such planet, we encountered an icy terrain, so questions like what people wear there, what their society is like, where they reside, how to make it feel both familiar and strange to us arise.

Williams: What stands out the most is the absence of sand. Instead, our world is quite moist, covered in an abundance of moss. Moreover, there was a fellow carrying a water tank on his back, frequently spritzing us with water whenever possible.

Watson: We call it 10,000 years B.C. — Before Chalamet.

The Harkonnens from the movies are all pale, bald villains, but how are Valya and Tula portrayed differently in “Prophecy”? What’s their relationship like with the Atreides family?

Watson: Hearing the name Atreides brings a shiver, for they have, on false pretenses, damaged our standing and our wealth. That’s my take on it. In the “Dune” universe, what one may deem as good or bad can be rather subjective. We consider ourselves to be virtuous, but others might not share that view.

Williams: From where does conflict over territory, power, and family disputes originate, whether it’s in the present or centuries past? Science fiction from the ’60s often mirrors the political landscape we see today. Who was there initially? Who lays claim to this land? Whose ancestors insulted whose livestock first? It seems to be an inherent aspect of human nature, regardless of whether it’s in the 10th or 20th thousand years from now. Regrettably, people don’t seem to forget their grievances.

One of the other elements that is eerily relevant to our world today is the role of technology and AI. Did you expect that it would be that prescient when you were making the show?

Working in the “Dune” universe, which explores the consequences of artificial intelligence and the heavy toll humans pay for relinquishing their thinking, feels like a surreal experience. The storyline depicts a catastrophic situation where AI eventually enslaves humanity, necessitating a devastating war that brings humankind close to extinction. It raises concerns about the potential risks of such technology and its high cost, both within the fictional universe and in our everyday lives, as we increasingly rely on machines. The question arises: What happens if there are no machines? We might soon find out. I’m not sure if it can be stopped, which is why it seems timely to ask questions about technology. This show could help stimulate thought-provoking queries regarding technology.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2024-11-18 06:17

‘Dune: Prophecy’ Stars on the Prequel’s Premiere, AI Foreshadowing and Going Back to ‘10,000 Years B.C. (Before Chalamet)’

How familiar were you with the world of “Dune” before signing on for “Prophecy”?

You have Denis Villeneuve’s movies as a reference of what the future looks like, but how was creating the world 10,000 years in the past?

The Harkonnens from the movies are all pale, bald villains, but how are Valya and Tula portrayed differently in “Prophecy”? What’s their relationship like with the Atreides family?

One of the other elements that is eerily relevant to our world today is the role of technology and AI. Did you expect that it would be that prescient when you were making the show?

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