For those looking to return to fantastical world of Arrakis, you’ll have to wait a little longer. The highly anticipated sequel to the sci-fi epic, Dune, has been delayed due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. These strikes have left fans eagerly awaiting updates on the progress of Dune: Part Two.
Dune: Adapting the Unadaptable
Based on Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction novel, Dune has garnered a significant following over the years. The story of Dune follows young nobleman Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet in the 2021 adaptation. Atreides is thrust into a war for the deadly and inhospitable desert planet Arrakis. There he meets Chani, played by Zendaya.
As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence, the future of not only his family and the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance.
Today, the 2021 adaptation of Dune marks the third adaptation of Herbert’s novel. However, the first two were met with such negative reviews, it had been widely assumed that the novel was just simply not able to be adapted to film. Despite this, 2021’s Dune was met with positive acclaim, earning almost 400 million at the box office.
The first installment of the current film series, directed by Denis Villeneuve showed intricate world-building using a blend of practical and visual effects along with compelling casting to adapt the thought-provoking themes of Herbert’s novel to the big screen.
The Writer’s Strike
You’ve most likely heard of the strike wave from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. Now, the two entities have not engaged in a simultaneous strike in over 60 years. The ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike reflects the actors’ union’s relentless pursuit of a better contract for scripted TV series and movies. The writer’s strike, which is at the heart of the delay, emerged from a long-standing dispute between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and major film studios.
If you want a little refresher, we’ve got you covered Hollywooders! Hollywood.com has discussed not only the timeline and rules of the current strike but also other productions that have been affected.
As the writers’ and actors’ strike gained momentum, Dune: Part Two and other films set to release this year were inevitably affected. Currently, these strikes are not only delaying the release of the film. The strike also prohibits union members of WGA or SAG-AFRA from attending or supporting promotions of the film or promotion of any productions from struck studios.
Even content creators or other allies of the strike have observe the ‘no promotion rule’ resulting some influencers refusing to discuss or promote films out of respect for the strike. Fans who were eagerly awaiting the continuation of the epic story now find themselves in a state of uncertainty.
A Call for Resolution
As the strike persists, the fate of Dune: Part Two hangs in the balance. Fans of the franchise, as well as the cast and crew, are hopeful that negotiations will lead to a fair resolution. A timely agreement with fair pair for creatives is crucial. Undoubtedly, not only for the continuation of Dune but also for the overall health and sustainability of the film industry.
This setback highlights the importance of fair compensation and creative control for writers and actors alike. As negotiations continue, the hope remains that a resolution will be reached, allowing the highly anticipated sequel to continue production and bring the epic world of Dune back to the big screen.
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