DUNE: PART TWO Projected for Major Worldwide Box Office Opening
By Movieguide® Contributor
As movie theaters continue to struggle following last year’s strikes, DUNE: PART TWO is poised to rescue the box office.
“Year-to-date, the box office is running 18 percent behind last year, and more than 38 percent behind 2019,” The Hollywood Reporter noted.
However, due to PART TWO’s massive star power and widespread interest, “Warner Bros. and Legendary are being conservative in estimating a $65 million-plus domestic opening (their caution is understandable, since it runs two hours and 46 minutes). But tracking services have it reaching $74 million, while some box office observers believe it could cross $80 million based on advance ticket sales and stellar reviews. It holds a 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.”
Part of Movieguide®’s review reads:
DUNE: PART TWO tells the second half of science fiction writer Frank Herbert’s epic tale of political power, love and desert heroism. After his father was murdered by the evil Baron Harkonnen’s men, Paul and his mother learn the ways of the Fremen the indigenous people on the desert planet of Arrakis. Paul falls in love with a young Fremen women, Chani. Paul helps the Fremen fight for freedom against the Baron. However, he sees a terrible future of a galactic holy war, but can he prevent it while seeking justice for his father?
DUNE: PART TWO is visually stunning. This doesn’t take away from the movie’s epic, dramatic storytelling. In one sense, PART TWO is a love story between Paul and Chani, set against the backdrop of a struggle for freedom. However, DUNE: PART TWO is also a story about good and evil, political power, religion, justice, revenge, and the consequences of wielding power on a worldwide, galactic scale. That said, the movie has some politically correct, direct attacks on religious “fundamentalism” that can be used to attack all religion, but especially Christians and Muslims.
The movie is set to be a major hit internationally as well. THR says it will likely secure another $85 million in 71 other markets.
Originally slated for an October 2023 release, PART TWO was delayed because of the strikes.
“Warner’s decision to abandon its original October release date has to be considered one of the biggest aftershocks of the SAG-AFTRA strikes. DUNE: PART TWO would have cleaned up in the fall, handing Hollywood a much-needed smash and joining BARBIE and OPPENHEIMER as the 2023 films that signaled a revived interest in going to the movies,” The Ringer reported.
“Now, however, it isn’t difficult to argue that Part Two is even better off coming out in March,” the source continued. “Pushing DUNE: PART TWO a few months didn’t just goose anticipation; it landed it in a less competitive market, and at a time when the American moviegoing public is suddenly very hungry for the next big movie.”
Movieguide® previously reported on a possible third DUNE installation:
As the press tour for DUNE: PART TWO begins, director Denis Villeneuve shares his hope for a third movie but says the franchise – under his direction – will stop there.
“DUNE MESSIAH should be the last DUNE movie for me,” Villeneuve told Time.
While Frank Herbert wrote six total Dune novels, Villeneuve is disappointed by the direction the author took the series after the second book, Dune Messiah.
Though Warner Bros. has yet to greenlight a third movie, Villeneuve has started work on the final movie of the trilogy in anticipation. However, there would likely be a sizable gap between the second and third movies, even once it is greenlit, to give the director a break.
DUNE and DUNE: PART TWO were filmed back-to-back and were originally slated to release with only two years between them. However, the timeline was disrupted by the actors’ strike. Furthermore, the director spent six years working on the first two movies before production began.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
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Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
