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HBO Max's DUNE: PROPHECY executive produced by Denis Villeneuve (2024)
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In addition to splitting the book up into two movies, Villeneuve is helping develop a prequel series for HBO Max. Titled Dune: The Sisterhood, the project will center on the Bene Gesserit, a mysterious order of women who possess extraordinary abilities.

 

While speaking to Variety about what lies ahead for Dune, Villeneuve briefly touched upon The Sisterhood. He was first asked if a younger version of Lady Jessica (played by Rebecca Ferguson in the film) would appear on the show, as she is a member of the Bene Gesserit. Villeneuve chose not to answer that, but he did say, "It’s a beautiful project, but it’s in development." To explain his hesitance to say more, he added, "And when things are in development, I have a tendency, I want to protect them because it’s in a fragile state."

 

Dune: The Sisterhood received a straight to series order when it was first announced. Nevertheless, it makes sense for HBO Max and Warner Bros. to wait until Dune itself has been released to reveal more about the show. While there might not be spoilers baked into the plot, Herbert's world is a dense one for newcomers, and it seems smarter to wait until audiences have seen the movie before giving them more of Arrakis. Villeneuve himself must want to hold onto the secrets of Dune: The Sisterhood until the proper time.

 

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According to Variety, Diane Ademu-John has been hired to take over as writer, producer, and showrunner of “Dune: The Sisterhood,” the first spinoff series from Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” feature. The series is expected to be a prequel that tells the story of the mysterious, powerful order of the Bene Gesserit. A formidable force in the world of Frank Herbert’s “Dune,” the Bene Gesserit are an all-female group of mystical, somewhat magical influencers that are often seen as one of the strongest political forces in the universe. As you might imagine, that’s prime storytelling territory.

 

Previously, Ademu-John worked as a writer for series such as “The Haunting of Bly Manor,” “Empire,” and “The Originals.” Before she joined ‘The Sisterhood,” screenwriter Jon Spaihts was attached to showrun the “Dune” spinoff after he wrote the -script for Villeneuve’s new feature. However, he left the TV series reportedly so that he could write the -script for the “Dune” sequel.

 

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More of the details.

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The “Dune” prequel series at HBO Max has brought Johan Renck onboard to direct the first two episodes.

 

Renck will also serve as an executive producer on the show, currently titled “Dune: The Sisterhood.” It was ordered straight-to-series at HBO Max in June 2019. Previously, “Dune” director and co-writer Denis Villeneuve was attached to direct the pilot for “Dune: The Sisterhood,” but his work on the “Dune” sequel film will prevent him from doing so.

 

The show is set 10,000 years prior to the events of “Dune” and follows the Harkonnen Sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit.

 

Renck won two Emmys for his work on the critically-acclaimed HBO limited series “Chernobyl” — one as an executive producer when the show won best limited series and another for best directing for a limited series, as he directed all five episodes. Renck is also known his work on shows like “Vikings,” “Bloodline,” “Breaking Bad,” “The Walking Dead,” and “Halt and Catch Fire.” He is an accomplished music video director to boot, including directing David Bowie in videos for “Blackstar” and “Lazarus.”

 

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However, a new report by Deadline now confirms that Dune: The Sisterhood remains on firm ground and is moving forward smoothly. In fact, the series has already begun the casting process.

 

The news comes as an encouraging update in the wake of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger, which has led to some drastic strategy shifts that resulted in the cancellation of the nearly complete Batgirl movie, as well structural changes at HBO/ HBO Max that saw over 70 employees been laid off. Considering the developing situation, many would have expected progress on Dune: The Sisterhood to slow down. But fortunately, that is not the case and the show continues to remain on track. Earlier, Villeneuve didn't disclose if Rebecca Ferguson's Lady Jessica would be recast with a younger actress for the prequel show. But considering casting is now underway on Dune: The Sisterhood, perhaps more concrete details will be announced soon.

 

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On 4/28/2022 at 7:12 AM, theCapraAegagrus said:

Is this going to help me understand the movies better, or is it just for people who are already entrenched in the universe?

It's hard to say how much this will help in understanding the movies. It presumably will explain the motivations and power of the Bene Gesserit in great detail, but I can't think of a book I've read that would be more difficult to adapt for the screen than Dune. The six Dune books by Frank Herbert are very much worth reading, but even reading just the first one will give you a serious leg up on any subsequent movies. 

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The amount of times switching directors makes me wonder if this project isn't good

Generally doesn't bode well when directors switch up that many times, usually because studio interference causes the project to become untolerable 

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Per Deadline, director Johan Renck (Chernobyl) has left the production after initially signing on for the first two episodes. Even more pressing, lead star Shirley Henderson, who was slated to play Tula Harkonnen, has exited the series. As a result, production on Dune: The Sisterhood has been put on hold as a replacement for Renck is found and Tula is recast. This follows the additional change of co-showrunner Diane Ademu-John stepping down ahead of filming, and Alison Schapker becoming the only showrunner. HBO Max said in a statement:

 

“As Dune: The Sisterhood (wt) has entered a pre-scheduled hiatus, there are some creative changes being made to the production in an effort to create the best series possible and stay true to the source material. Johan Renck has completed his work on the series and a new director will be brought on; through mutual agreement, Johan is moving on to pursue other projects. Additionally, Shirley Henderson will be exiting the series and will no longer be playing Tula Harkonnen.”

 

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The show is moving forward. 

^^

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Olivia Williams (The Crown) and Jodhi May (The Witcher) have joined the cast of the Max Original series Dune: The Sisterhood (w/t).

 

Williams is taking over the role of Tula Harkonnen following Shirley Henderson’s exit in February. May is being recast in the role of Natalya as Indira Varma steps down due to a scheduling conflict, Deadline hears.

Additionally, Anna Foerster (Lou) will direct multiple episodes including the premiere. Foerster is taking over duties following Johan Renck’s exit which Deadline announced exclusively earlier this year.

 

Set within the mystical world of Dune, created by acclaimed author Frank Herbert, and 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, Dune: The Sisterhood (w/t) follows the Harkonnen Sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit. The series is adapted from the novel Sisterhood of Dune, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

 

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Given the success of the first film and apparent anticipation for the second one, I am surprised they are having this much difficulty getting a streaming series together. Dune has solid potential for a larger franchise play.

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HBO has renamed Dune: The Sisterhood to Dune: Prophecy, IGN can confirm.

 

A source close to production confirmed the name change after reports hit the internet yesterday. The show is expected to launch fall 2024.

 

Dune: Prophecy is HBO’s Dune prequel TV series and is set to debut on the Max streaming service. Production is ongoing in Hungary despite the ongoing actors' strike because the cast is largely made up of British actors who are members of Equity rather than SAG-AFTRA (The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), and won’t be striking alongside their American peers.

 

Dune: Prophecy underwent “creative changes” back in March while also losing its director along with one of its stars. Dune: Part Two, meanwhile, was pushed back several months from November 3, 2023, to March 15, 2024. The sequel to the 2021 film was set to be one of 2023's major theatrical releases. At least partly at issue is the fact stars Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya are unable to promote Dune: Part Two amid the SAG-AFTRA strike.

 

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