It was the most anticipated science fiction movie in recent years. Fans around the world eagerly awaited the release of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Dune which has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. With a creative process that spanned nearly five years, Dune did not disappoint! 

In this episode of Script to Screen, screenwriter Eric Roth discusses with moderator Matt Ryan how he tackled adapting Frank Herbert’s novel to the screen, and his collaboration with director Denis Villeneuve. 

Roth also talks about various details of his process, such as how he approached portraying the characters of Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) and Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) and bringing the world of Dune to life with his portrayal of the Fremen and the sandworms. Roth elaborates on working with the Herbert family early on to make sure that the legacy of the novel was properly respected.

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the originally scheduled release due in late 2020, instead premiering at the 78th Venice International Film Festival in September 2021. In an effort to allow audiences to enjoy this cinematic experience, Warner Brothers decided to release the movie in theaters and via the streaming service HBO Max. Several Hollywood movie studios embraced the streaming service model rather than continually delaying releases of their tentpole movies during the pandemic.

Watch Script to Screen: Dune.