With "Dune 2", Denis Villeneuve created one of the biggest science fiction blockbusters of 2024 - a hit with worldwide box office takings of over 700 million dollars. Now it's time for the next project: "Dune: Prophecy" is the name of the new HBO series about the world of Frank Herbert. In this preview, we take a look at the epic stories that await us in the prequel and what is currently known about the production status.

What is Dune: Prophecy About?

"Dune: Prophecy" is based on the novel "Sisterhood of Dune". It was published by Frank Herbert's son Brian together with Kevin J. Anderson in 2012. The plot takes place around 10,000 years before the events of the movies and is dedicated to the rise of the Bene Gesserit. They also play an important role in Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" movies.

More specifically, it is about two sisters from the House of Harkonnen who co-found the legendary order of the Sisterhood. Under the protection of the jungle planet Rossak, the two of them plot a scheme that will change the fate of humanity forever.

Who are the Bene Gesserit?

The Bene Gesserit are a sect-like sisterhood that can access the memories of their female predecessors with the help of the Water of Life. They can also transfer their own personality to their fellow sisters, which is comparable to a kind of immortality.

However, like many other groups in the "Dune" universe, they are dependent on the spice mined on the desert planet Arrakis. To become a Bene Gesserit, you have to undergo intensive physical training, called Prana-bindu, as well as a comprehensive education in art, philosophy and religion. This method teaches the sisters total body control. They are also able to disregard pain and induce cardiac arrest in hopeless situations.

The overall aim of the sisterhood is to breed the Kwisatz Haderach - a kind of superhuman and male Bene Gesserit. As we learn in the "Dune" movies, Paul is supposed to take on precisely this role later on. His mother Jessica is also a member of the order.

A Chaotic Production

The two lead roles of the sisters are assumed by Emily Watson and "The Crown" actress Olivia Williams. They are joined by Mark Strong as Emperor Javicco Corrino, among others. "Vikings" star Travis Fimmel, meanwhile, plays Desmond Hart, an adversary of the Sisterhood and the male lead of the series.

Production of "Dune: Prophecy" has been in progress since 2019 and has been anything but trouble-free so far. After some back and forth, the showrunner is now Alison Shapker, who was previously involved in "Westworld" and "Lost". "Dune: Prophecy" was originally intended to be directed by "Chernobyl" director Johan Renck. However, he quit the project in February 2023 and was replaced by German director Anna Foerster, who likewise previously worked on the series "Westworld".

It was initially planned that the author of the feature films, Jon Spaihts, would also write the screenplay for the series. However, he later resigned to devote himself entirely to "Dune 2". Denis Villeneuve was also briefly considered for the director and executive producer positions, but he declined. According to his own statements, he was too busy with the movie adaptations as well and did not want to work on two projects at the same time.

In November 2023, the series was eventually renamed from "Dune: Sisterhood" to "Dune: Prophecy" - the reasons for this are unknown. Filming has been completed since December 2023. It was mainly shot using real sets, similar to the previous feature films. This time, the music was not created by Hans Zimmer, but by German composer Volker Bertelmann. He received an Oscar in 2023 for his contribution to the war film "All Quiet on the Western Front".

When will the Series be Released?

After some setbacks, "Dune: Prophecy" is expected to be released by streaming provider Max in late 2024.