Dune Prequel Undergoes A Big Change As Filming Starts
The Dune prequel series creator Diane Ademu-John just stepped down as co-showrunner.
The Dune prequel series has hit a major snag as series creator and writer Diane Ademu-John has stepped down as co-showrunner. However, she will remain creatively involved as an executive producer but will focus on other commitments. Veteran writer-producer Alison Schapker will now be the sole showrunner for Dune: The Sisterhood, Deadline reports.
Schapker also serves as executive producer, along with Johan Renck who will direct the first episode of the Dune prequel series. Filming began in Budapest earlier this week. According to Variety, Denis Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts, Scott Z. Burns, Matthew King, John Cameron, and Cait Collins also executive produce alongside Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, and Kim Herbert for the Frank Herbert estate.
Adapted from the book Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, the prequel is set 10,000 years before the events of the movie. The story follows the Harkonnen Sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind. They also establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesseri whose members undergo physical training and mental conditioning to obtain superhuman powers and abilities.
The Dune prequel stars Emily Watson and Shirley Henderson as Valya and Tula Harkonnen respectively. Other cast members include Indira Varma as Empress Natalya, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina as Princess Ynez, Shalom Brune Franklin as Mikaela, Faoileann Cunningham as Sister Jen, Aoife Hinds as Sister Emeline, Chloe Lea as Lila, and Travis Fimmel as Desmond Hart.
Dune: The Sisterhood was created for HBO Max and Legendary Television as a prequel to the movies and is expected to debut in November 2023. Denis Villeneuve’s Academy Award-nominated film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel marked a brand new entry point into the sci-fi world. Previous installments include a 1984 movie and a television series that aired in the early 2000s.
Directed by Villeneuve from a screenplay he wrote with Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth, Dune (unlike the prequel) tells the story ofPaul Atreides. Born into a destiny beyond his understanding, Paul must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his people. Meanwhile, malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s supply of mélange – a precious resource needed for space travel and immortality.
The movie, which only adapted the first half of the book, stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, alongside Oscar Isaac, Stellan Skarsgård, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, and Dave Bautista. Dune: Part Two with Zendaya in the lead will cover the rest and is set to be released before the prequel on November 3, 2023.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jon Spaihts, and Eric Roth, that story will explore the continuing journey of Paul Atreides. United with Chani and the Fremen, he will seek revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul endeavors to prevent the terrible future he foresees. Dune: Part Two, along with the prequel series, promises to bring fans closer to the characters they fell in love with from the books.
