In the history of Hollywood cinema, the second films in a saga are often the darkest, but also the most successful. think of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, The Godfather 2 or The Black Knight. Denis Villeneuve was well aware of this reality when he embarked on production of his highly anticipated sequel dune.
“There is this idea of surpassing that we often find in the second parts of a saga, especially when the first film was appreciated,” notes the Quebec filmmaker, who met on Thursday in a suite at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Montreal, where he finished the worldwide promotional tour for his film.
“Did I think about this as I approached the second part of Dune? Absolutely. I really wanted to make a film that was better than the first. And I didn’t compromise on that.”
Apparently Denis Villeneuve was successful with his bet. Dune: Part 2 has been widely praised by critics around the world, who generally agree that the second part is better than the first.
The enthusiasm is so great that experts predict that Villeneuve's new film will gross more than $150 million at the worldwide box office in its first weekend in theaters.
Despite the success of the first Dune (more than $400 million at the global box office in 2021), Denis Villeneuve says he viewed the sequel to the adaptation of Frank Herbert's science fiction novel as a new film.
“It was the first time I had the chance to revisit a universe I had already explored [dans un film précédent], he emphasizes. It was an interesting exercise because it allowed me to see what I could do better this time. I wanted to make a film that respected a certain cinematic vocabulary but had a different rhythm and breath. I really wanted to avoid repeats.”
Among the really great ones
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Since the release of his first American film, Prisoners, in 2013, Denis Villeneuve has risen in Hollywood, earning a place among our southern neighbors' most sought-after filmmakers. He is now compared to the big names of world cinema such as Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg.
“These comparisons are flattering, but I try to distance myself from them,” assures the main victim.
“I know my limits in my relationship with the camera. I know what I did wrong. I won't show off in Los Angeles! [rires]. But what brings me joy is that I have earned the respect of my colleagues. In this profession we always have a bit of impostor syndrome. That’s why it warmed my heart when I felt on several occasions that I was now part of this community.”
As an aside, Denis Villeneuve has spent the last six years pursuing his old teenage dream of bringing the world of Dune to the big screen. “It was a great privilege to do this and it will take me several years to digest the experience,” he admits.
However, the 56-year-old filmmaker may not be done with “Dune” just yet, as a third film – inspired by the novel “The Messiah of Dune” – is currently being written. Villeneuve has three other projects on the table, including a biographical drama about Cleopatra and another sci-fi film.
“My first love was science fiction,” he remembers. A door opened for me and I was given the resources to make this type of film. I’m making the best of it because I don’t know how long this door will stay open!”
►Dune: Part Two takes the stage on Thursday evening.