EntertainmentMoviesSci-Fi MoviesDune 2Dune: Part Two director Denis Villeneuve on GamesRadar+ naming the sci-fi epic as the best movie of 2024, reframing the narrative, and what he’s most proud ofWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentMoviesSci-Fi MoviesDune 2Dune: Part Two director Denis Villeneuve on GamesRadar+ naming the sci-fi epic as the best movie of 2024, reframing the narrative, and what he’s most proud ofWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)
It’s been an incredible year for cinema, from bold horror films to sequels that were worth the nearly 25-year-long wait. But only one feature could take the top spot on GamesRadar+’sbest movies of 2024list and it had to be Dune: Part Two, director Denis Villeneuve’s jaw-droppingly stunning epic that became an instant sci-fi classic. Every minute of this nearly three-hour-long adventure was a spectacle, making it the clear winner in our books.
She becomes our moral compass. It was therefore very important to finish the movie on Chani as that’s our angle, our take.
She becomes our moral compass. It was therefore very important to finish the movie on Chani as that’s our angle, our take.
Whilst that all goes back to Herbert’s seminal 1965 novel Dune, Villeneuve does reframe the narrative in this sequel, creating an expanded role for Zendaya’s rebellious warrior Chani. Although Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides is our lead character, Dune: Part Two is as much Chani’s story as it is his, as we see through her eyes the dangerous potential of the Lisan al-Gaib. In fact, the movie doesn’t end on a triumphant note with Paul standing tall, as the last scene sees Chani alone in the desert, left furious and completely heartbroken. As we look at her face we can feel all of that pain, disappointment, and fear – mainly thanks to Zendaya’s incredible performance. And while it is a disquieting note to end on, it’s a brilliant one too.
Coming together
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)
Naturally, with awards season beginning there is already a lot of Oscar buzz surrounding Dune: Part Two. In fact, arguably this hype started the moment the film was screened to critics. So much so starJosh Brolin recently statedthat he will “quit acting” if Villeneuve isn’t nominated for Best Director at the upcoming Academy Awards. Laughing, the filmmaker is quick to emphasize that he has no intention to let that happen: “That gives me a tremendous amount of responsibility, putting all of that on my shoulders. Thanks Josh, that’s embarrassing! I mean, if Josh does decide to quit acting, it will then be my responsibility to fight him on it!”
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Despite the jokes, it’s clear that being nominated for an Oscar for Dune: Part Two would mean the world to Villeneuve – let alone winning one. Of course, he has been nominated thrice before but has yet to take home the golden statue. He already feels honored to be included in the conversation but states he never set out to make this film, or any movie he directs, an awards contender: “It’s nice to be in the conversation, the movie came out in March and is still in the minds and hearts of people. The fact that they are considering it for Academy Awards is the highest compliment. I’m not making movies for awards though, you can’t plan these things and I take nothing for granted. I’ll see what happened but I’m honored that people are considering it and talking about it.”
They had a big task on their shoulders bringing the humanity the movie needed to land. I kept saying to my crew, if the audience doesn’t believe in Paul and Chani’s love story, there’s no movie.
They had a big task on their shoulders bringing the humanity the movie needed to land. I kept saying to my crew, if the audience doesn’t believe in Paul and Chani’s love story, there’s no movie.
Whether it is nominated for Oscars or not, Villeneuve is “very proud” of Dune: Part Two – as he should be. Reflecting on the astonishing achievement, the director notes that the aspect he is most proud of is his cast, who he states ground this sci-fi epic: “Timothée [Chalamet], Zendaya, Austin [Butler], Florence [Pugh], Josh [Brolin], Stellan [Skarsgård], everybody really… all the actors. They had a big task on their shoulders bringing the humanity the movie needed to land. I kept saying to my crew, if the audience doesn’t believe in Paul and Chani’s love story, there’s no movie. I love how committed they were and worked hard to make this happen.”
Continuing, Villeneuve also praises his cinematographer Greig Fraser for how this world was vividly brought to life through the visuals: “I’m also very proud of how the movie looks, the world that has been built, and the way that Greig shot it. I’m proud of my team. I’m a blessed director who works with great artists and I’m pinching myself that I had a chance to work with them.” It’s cheesy but it’s true – teamwork really does make the dream work.
Creative fulfillment
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)
Although Dune: Part Two was crowned our best movie of the year, 2024 has undoubtedly been a fantastic one for cinema. And hey, that’s not just us here at GamesRadar+ saying that, as Villeneuve himself agrees. The question is then – what are some of Villeneuve’s favorite films from 2024?
I’m in a very creative period of my life right now, writing a lot, which I absolutely enjoy. But when the projects are not out of the womb yet, they are vulnerable. And I want to protect them.
I’m in a very creative period of my life right now, writing a lot, which I absolutely enjoy. But when the projects are not out of the womb yet, they are vulnerable. And I want to protect them.
He concludes: “I’m writing for a few projects and I’m in a very creative period of my life right now, writing a lot, which I absolutely enjoy. But when the projects are not out of the womb yet, they are vulnerable. And I want to protect them.” Keep your eyes peeled then for what will come next from Villeneuve as it’s sure to be something exciting.
Dune: Part Two is available to stream now on Max in the US and Sky/Now in the UK. For more on the movie, check out our interview from earlier this year with starZendaya about Chani’s journey, as well as withStellan Skarsgard about returning as the villainous Baron Harkonnen.
You can also read our list of thebest games of 2024too.
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