Dune: Prophecy Star Says Show Isn’t Childish Like Star Wars
When it comes to major sci-fi franchises, there is no denying that Star Wars reigns as probably the most recognizable franchise in the genre. Yet, that does not mean there is no room for other heavy hitters, as evidenced by the recent success of the Dune movies. However, Emily Watson, who will be one of the stars of HBO’s upcoming Dune: Prophecy, has made it clear that she considers one of Dune’s biggest strengths to be that it is not like Star Wars, which she feels is more juvenile.
“It was very exciting, but also very great to go into that world with the security of knowing I’ve got the skill set to make everything feel real. It’s a very interesting palette because it’s not childish… it’s not like Star Wars. It has a moral complexity, which is interesting, ” Watson said.
Star Wars Vs. Dune
The comment is sure to cause some Star Wars fans to bristle, feeling like the cast of Dune: Prophecy is being needlessly adversarial. However, there is no denying that George Lucas did indeed intend Star Wars to be movies marketed more for a younger audience.
And Watson’s comments in full make it clear that she is praising Dune for introducing more nuanced dynamics into the genre beyond clear-cut good guys and bad guys.
Not A Comment About Quality
So it is clear Watson is not putting down Star Wars, but simply stating that Dune: Prophecy will be more grounded in how the characters are portrayed in their views.
For fantasy fans it is similar to many of the comments that were made about Game of Thrones when it first debuted. Many felt that the show was a more edgy, morally complex version of The Lord of the Rings. That does not make The Lord of the Rings bad, as even George R.R. Martin cites it as one of his main inspirations for the books. The same is true of Star Wars and Dune: Prophecy simply being alternative ways of telling stories in their own genre.
A Prequel
Though there are some similarities in the trajectories of the two sci-fi franchises. Dune: Prophecy is actually a prequel to the Dune movies everyone knows so far, similar to how Star Wars elected to delve into the past after the original trilogy was completed.
Specifically, Dune: Prophecy takes place 10,000 years before the events surrounding Paul Atreides, meaning we will see a far different landscape in the show.
Star Wars Was Always Meant To Be For Kids
Regardless of whether someone is looking forward to Dune: Prophecy or not, the HBO show will almost certainly not be something parents want their young children watching like they would the next Star Wars film.
Even as early as the original trilogy, kid-friendly elements were present in Star Wars through aspects like the Ewoks. Those elements were amplified later on through additions like Jar Jar Binks and, more recently, the Porgs.
More Acceptance Of Sci-Fi
However, one thing Dune: Prophecy fans and Star Wars fans do not have to be in contention over is how enjoyable it is to be able to openly like sci-fi media now due to its acceptance as a major genre.
Regardless of who Star Wars was produced for, when the original trilogy came out, the sci-fi genre was far more niche and open to ridicule from those who made assumptions about it. Star Wars undeniably helped pave the way for acceptance of modern sci-fi like the Dune adaptations, and that is something all stories in the genre should be grateful for.
Source: Games Radar
