In a recent conversation between film legends Steven Spielberg and Denis Villeneuve, Spielberg praised Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, particularly the stunning desert scenes that are a key aspect of the sci-fi epic. Spielberg compared the desert scenes on the planet Arrakis to an ocean, noting the film’s focus on water despite its sandy setting. He specifically mentioned the sandworm surfing scene as one of the greatest things he has ever seen, highlighting Villeneuve’s ability to make the desert appear as a liquid.
Spielberg, known for his own classic sci-fi and fantasy films, including Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. the Extraterrestrial, expressed his admiration for Villeneuve’s world-building skills, declaring Dune: Part Two as one of the most brilliant science-fiction films he has ever seen. In a moment of modesty, Spielberg set aside his own impressive resume to laud Villeneuve’s talent in creating immersive cinematic worlds, placing him among the greatest “builders of worlds” in film history. Spielberg mentioned other legendary filmmakers like Georges Méliès, Walt Disney, and Stanley Kubrick before adding Villeneuve to the prestigious list.
Dune: Part Two, which follows the first Dune movie directed by Villeneuve, Blade Runner 2049, and Arrival, received a warm reception from audiences and critics alike. The film opened to a massive box office take of $82.5 million domestically during its opening weekend, and has since earned a total of $577.4 million worldwide. Despite a bit of unusual pre-release publicity surrounding the film’s sandworm-inspired popcorn bucket design, Dune: Part Two has proven to be a commercial success and further solidified Villeneuve’s reputation as a visionary filmmaker.
Spielberg’s conversation with Villeneuve on the Director’s Guild of America’s podcast shed light on the intricacies of Dune: Part Two, with Spielberg offering enthusiastic praise for the film’s desert scenes and overall world-building. The film’s focus on water within a desert setting intrigued Spielberg, who noted the symbolic significance of water in the story. Spielberg particularly commended Villeneuve for his visual storytelling, especially in capturing the fluidity of the desert environment and the awe-inspiring sandworm surfing scene.
As a filmmaker known for his iconic contributions to the genre, Spielberg’s admiration for Villeneuve’s work in Dune: Part Two is a significant endorsement of the film’s artistic merits. Spielberg’s inclusion of Villeneuve among the greatest world builders in cinematic history further emphasizes the impact and legacy of Villeneuve’s creative vision. With Dune: Part Two’s impressive box office performance and critical acclaim, it is clear that Villeneuve has successfully transported audiences into the mesmerizing world of Arrakis and left a lasting impression on both viewers and industry peers.
