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Or you could read the book before watching it and get all the references.
So who is our protagonist, Timothee, playing?
This dude named Paul.
Paul is the son of Duke Leto Atreides I, a.k.a.
Oscar Isaac in space-daddy mode, and his official concubine, Lady Jessica, a.k.a.
Rebecca Ferguson of lip-syncing that one song Never Enough inThe Greatest Showmanfame.
In the beginning of the novel, Paul is turning 15 (Can Timothee still pass for a teen?
Sorry, this is a sci-fi universe and their names are Paul and Jessica?
Wait till you meet Duncan Idaho.
How important is the Atreides family in this universe?
Okay, whats spice?
Its this supercool invented substance found in the sands of Arrakis thats incredibly valuable.
Subtract the supernatural elements and basically spice is oil.
As you may have noticed,Dunefreely riffs on the historical colonization of and conflicts within the Middle East.
Too bad,melangeis a fun word.
But if Arrakis is full of spice, that sounds like a great deal for the Atreides?
Well, yes,ifthey can execute the planet well.
But there are two key problems.
That conflict would weaken both families, which is nice for the emperor.
That has, unsurprisingly, really pissed them off.
Jumping back a bit, Pauls mom has witch skills?
But these women have honed their abilities to do things like control peoples minds with their voices.
What are the witches up to?
So its full sci-fi.
But there are people called Mentats who train themselves to think like machines.
Stephen McKinley Hendersons character Thufir Hawat is one, though the movie doesnt explain that specifically.
People who have not?Well.
SoisPaul the chosen one?
Is there someone else who could be the chosen one?
InDavid Lynchs film ofDune, Sting played Feyd-Rautha whilerocking this look.
Really play up theLady Birdrivalry.
Have Saoirse Ronan play Princess Irulan!
(You dont need to know who she is yet.)
How do the people on Arrakis feel about his whole chosen one quest?
Why would it be bad for Paul to be a messiah?
Frank Herbertdid have that on the mind.
So its also just desertAvatar?
Hey,Avataris just jungleDune.
Get the order of influences right!
But yes, theres a similar thread of ecology-focused sci-fi that runs between them.
Herbert got his inspiration from reporting an article about efforts to managesand dunes in Oregon.
Wait, I heard Zendaya is also in this movie.
Where does she come in?
Zendaya plays Chani, a Fremen woman who Paul keeps seeing in his dreams.
Mostly her job in this movie is to wander around in the desert as part of those dreams.
Any other key characters I should know about?
Keep an eye on Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho.
Hes a proto Han Solo charming, roguish soldier dude, a fan favorite in the book series.
Also Duncan Idaho is a cool name, like hes a badass potato vendor at your local farmers market.
Thats not a badass name or profession.
You and I disagree.
Enough plot.
Tell me about the sandworms.
Okay, but they do look like buttholes.
Im ending this conversation.
