MOVIE NEWS – Denis Villeneuve, the director of Dune 2, reveals his newfound aversion to sand—a sentiment eerily echoing Anakin Skywalker’s in Star Wars. During the movie’s intense desert shoots, the sand got everywhere, leading to what Villeneuve describes as “sand trauma.”

In one of the most cringe-worthy moments of the Star Wars franchise, Anakin Skywalker tells his love, Padmé, “I don’t like sand. It’s coarse, rough, irritating, and it gets everywhere.” While the line has become the subject of memes due to its awkwardness and Hayden Christensen’s acting, Denis Villeneuve can genuinely empathize with the discomfort caused by sand. This became abundantly clear during the filming of Dune 2, where the crew found themselves surrounded by sandy dunes.

In an interview with Empire magazine about Dune 2, Villeneuve elaborated on the challenges of capturing the desert planet Arrakis on film. To create the perfect visual spectacle, the team, including cinematographer Greig Fraser and production designer Patrice Vermette, spent a considerable amount of time studying the sand dunes. “I needed a specific shape of a dune for my visual language. At the same time, Greig Fraser had lighting requirements. Patrice spent weeks selecting dunes in the desert! We looked like three madmen… I still find grains in my shoes. We definitely have sand trauma,” shared Villeneuve.

Dune 2 was primarily filmed around Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. While scenes for the first installment were also shot there, and Vermette had collected sand samples in glass jars, the team decided not to reuse any locations. “We secured entirely new landscapes to tell our story,” said the production designer. Audiences can be sure to expect an incredibly authentic depiction of the Arrakis desert in the sequel.

Originally slated for release on March 15, 2024, in the United States (likely March 14 in other territories), the film has been postponed due to a strike by the actors. Villeneuve also discussed the possibility of a third installment.

Source: Empire