A Brief History of Dune

Here at More Movies we have been looking forward to the new Dune movie release. Here is a Brief History of the Dune franchise as it stands today…

Original Dune Novel Released

Author Frank Herbert released his new science fiction novel Dune, originally published as two separate serials in Analog magazine.

August, 1965

Sequel Novel Dune Messiah Released

Frank Herbert released the sequel Dune Messiah in 1969, originally serialized in Galaxy magazine.

October, 1969

The Third Novel Children of Dune is Released

Frank Herbert released the third novel in the series, Children of Dune. It was originally serialized in Analog Science Fiction and Fact in 1976

March, 1976

God Emperor of Dune Released

Frank Herbert completed and released the fourth in his Dune series. It was ranked as the No. 11 hardcover fiction best seller of 1981

May, 1981

The Novel Heretics of Dune Released

The fifth novel in the Dune series by Frank Herbert is released.

August, 1984

First Dune Film Released

The first screen adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune saga is released. Written and directed by David Lynch, the film starred Kyle MacLachlan, Max Von Sydow and Sting.

December, 1984

Chapterhouse: Dune Released

In March 1985 Chapterhouse: Dune, the last of six Dune novels by Frank Herbert is released.

March, 1985

Dune Video Game Released

Virgin Interactive released the first Dune video game for MS-DOS and Amiga. The game included footage from the Lynch film and was a pioneering real-time strategy game.

December, 1992

Dune 2000 Game Released

Westwood Studios release a sequel to the original video game. Dune 2000 was originally released for Windows and later for PlayStation in 1999.

August, 1998

Frank Herbert’s Dune Mini-Series Released

A three part TV mini series adaptation based on Frank Herbert’s original novel is released. It stars William Hurt, Alec Newman and Saskia Reeves.

December, 2000

Children of Dune Mini-Series Released

A sequel to the 2000 mini-series is released starring James Macavoy, Alec Newman and Julie Cox.

March, 2003

Legendary Acquire the Rights

In late 2016, Legendary Entertainment announce that they have aquired the rights to the Dune franchise.

November, 2016

New Film Announced

Legendary Entertainment announce that pre-production has begun on a new film adaptation which will be directed by Denis Villeneuve.

February, 2017

Two Films Announced

Legendary Entertainment announce that the new adaptation will be split into two instalments.

March, 2018

Production Begins

In March 2019, production on the new Villeneuve film begins in Hungary.

March, 2019

Trailer Released

The first trailer for the forthcoming film is released. See below.

September, 2020

Second Trailer Released

The second trailer for the eagerly anticipated Dune movie is released. See below to take a look at it.

July, 2021

And after what seems like an eternal wait… here is the first trailer!

Plus an additional second extended trailer that has just dropped in July 2021…

Check out our thoughts on Dune (2021) here and on Dune Part 2 (2024) here.

So, that’s our brief history of Dune!

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