MOVIE NEWS – It looks like Anna Foerster has taken the helm of the Dune spin-off series, with Olivia Williams and Jodhi May joining the cast.

While we’re getting more and more excited for Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming epic sci-fi sequel Dune: Part Two, the saga’s spin-off series Dune: The Sisterhood is struggling to get filming underway. Following recent departures that effectively put the series on hiatus, Deadline reports that Anna Foerster has arrived as the new director. She will reportedly direct several episodes, including the pilot. Jodhi May will star as Empress Natalya, while Olivia Williams will appear as Tula Harkonnen.

The series will delve deep into the story of the mysterious and fascinating Bene Gesserits, introduced in the first film through Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), her son Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) and Reverand Mother Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling).

The cult is made up entirely of women who undergo rigorous physical training and mental conditioning. They develop superhuman abilities, most notably the power known as the Voice. This gives them a formidable power that has influenced galactic politics for countless centuries. They are the true puppeteers of history. Based on the novel Sisterhood of Dune by Frank’s son Brian Herbert, the series is set 10,000 years before the rise of Paul Atreides. It would focus on two Harkonnen sisters fighting against threats to the future of humanity. This is what leads to the formation of the Bene Gesserit.

Dune: The Sisterhood starts off promisingly, but there’s a snag

Villeneuve himself was initially going to direct. However, as time passed and filming began on Dune: Part Two, he had no choice but to withdraw. He remains the executive producer of the project. But the torch passed from one showrunner to the next. Johan Renck was the latest director to leave earlier this year. From unsatisfactory scripts to actors with scheduling conflicts, the cast and crew kept changing over the three years, and there was growing uncertainty about whether or not the series would actually materialise. But now there is some hope with a new director and two new actors on board.

Anna Foerster is now at the helm of the series and is set to direct several episodes of the series. Her previous works include the action horror Underworld: Blood Wars (2016) and the thriller Lou (2022). Diane Ademu-John remains as creator, writer and executive producer. Meanwhile, Olivia Williams (The Crown) took over Tula Harkonnen’s role after Shirley Henderson stepped down in February. Jodhi May (The Witcher) will now play Empress Natalya after Indira Varma stepped down due to scheduling issues. They join other cast members, such as Emily Watson (Chernobyl) as Valya Harkonnen. As well as Mark Strong (Shazam! Fury of the Gods) as Emperor Javicco Corrino and Travis Fimmel (Vikings) as Desmond Hart.

While Hans Zimmer will continue to work on the Dune films, Icelandic musician Jónsi will compose the score for the series.

The production finally has everything it needs to move forward. However, there is still the ongoing WGA strike, which has effectively shut down much of Hollywood as thousands of writers strike for fair wages and better working conditions. So it remains a question of when filming can start.

Source: Deadline