Dune: Part Two was bigger and better than the first installment, and out-grossed the first film. It was the fifth highest-grossing movie of 2024, kicking off the year with the biggest numbers by the time of its premiere in March. The sci-fi film was officially recognized at the 97th Academy Awards by the Academy with several nominations, including one for Best Picture, but it didn’t get the nomination Josh Brolin wanted.
RelatedDenis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two sees instant success on Netflix after debuting on the streaming service on Jan. 1.
Dune: Part Two continued Paul Atreides’ journey to get revenge for the Atreides name. His meeting with the Fremen results in him learning their ways and further stepping into the role of the chosen one, Lisan al Gaib, in his war against the House Harkonnen. The sequel featured a series of returning actors from the 2021 film, as well as newcomers like Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Léa Seydoux.
During the recently announced Oscar nominations, announced by presenters Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott on Thursday, Dune: Part Two received five nominations: Visual Effects, Sound, Production Design, and Cinematography, as well as Best Picture. However, there was no nomination for director Denis Villeneuve.
RelatedIt was surprising for Dune: Part Two to be snubbed from one category after previously winning that award for the first film.
In an interview with Variety in November, actor Josh Brolin, who played Gurney Halleck in both parts, wanted the director’s efforts with the sequel to get recognition at the Oscars. He shared that, if he wouldn’t, he would “quit acting.” The actor said, “If he doesn’t get nominated this year, I’ll quit acting,” Brolin noted. “It was a better movie than the first one. When I watched it, it felt like my brain was broken open. It’s masterful, and Denis is one of our master filmmakers. If the Academy Awards have any meaning whatsoever, they’ll recognize him.“
Dune: Part Two Scored Fewer Oscar Nominations Than Its Prequel
So far, Denis Villenevue’s Dune films have grossed over $1 billion at the worldwide box office. The 2021 film grossed $430.1 million worldwide, adding $20.9 million from DVD and Blu-ray sales. The sequel was an even bigger success, becoming the fifth highest-grossing film of the year with a total of $715.2 million worldwide (via The Numbers). Even so, Dune: Part Two received fewer nominations than the first film.
2021’s Dune: Part One had 10 Academy Award nominations, and won six of them. The sci-fi film won Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, Best Film Editing, and Best Cinematography. At the same time, neither film included a Best Director nomination.
So far, Denis Villeneuve has received four nominations for his films, but only one of those nominations was for his achievement in directing, for the 2016 sci-fi film Arrival. Villeneuve is a highly acclaimed director, with a lot of potential, and, similar to Christopher Nolan, might wait a while to receive his Best Director Oscar, but it will come. He even has another attempt with Dune, as he will return to helm the third installment, Dune: Messiah.
Source: The Academy
Release Date
February 27, 2024
Runtime
167 minutes
Director
Denis Villeneuve
Writers
Denis Villeneuve
Producers
Herb Gains , John Harrison , Mary Parent , Patrick McCormick , Richard P. Rubinstein , Cale Boyter , Thomas Tull , Brian Herbert , Byron Merritt , Kim Herbert , Joshua Grode , Tanya Lapointe
