It has been just over 56 years since Frank Herbert published his science fiction masterpiece, Dune, and over these years various people have tried to adapt his work for screens. There was, of course, the David Lynch film in 1984, as well as John Harrison’s TV series Dune (2000). However, none of these iterations received the same overall positive reception as Denis Villeneuve’s addition in the 2021 imagining of the book, which made the wise choice to spread the vast narrative over 2 parts. Based on the huge success of the first film, it’s worth wondering whether Villeneuve should adapt more of this mighty book saga for the screen.
Technically there are only six books in the main Dune lineup, other books being prequels and other histories based in the same universe. Before delving into the myriad of works at Villeneuve’s disposal, it is worth mentioning that HBO has already announced a prequel series to Dune called Dune: The Sisterhood. It’s unclear exactly what the series will be about, other than that it will focus on the Bene Gesserit, the mysterious organization of women influences politics and seemingly everything else from the shadows, using their quasi-magical ways. Audiences were given a glimpse of this order in Villeneuve’s film, but this is just the tip of the iceberg, only explaining enough of who they are and what they do enough to make sense within the film. It has not been confirmed when the series will take place, or what exactly it will be about, but it’s been theorized it will delve into the history and founding of the Bene Gesserit, shining light and consequently giving more context to their appearance in the main films. Villeneuve has been confirmed to be directing the pilot episode, while Haunting of Bly Manor producer Diane Ademu-John will be the showrunner.
While the most memorable screen adaptations are based on the story of Herbert’s Dune, they are not the only two to adapt works from the author's universe. 2003 saw the release of the TV series Children of Dune, starring James Mcavoy as Leto Atreides II, the son of Paul Atreides. The story is set after the events of Dune, focusing on Leto and his sister Ghanima after the mysterious disappearance of their father. It also gets weird, with human-sandworm hybrids and self-declared deity level ruling. The books get stranger and stranger, tackling more esoteric philosophy and religious politics. This type of content is present within Dune, but not to the same degree of psychedelic tomfoolery.
Between these two stories, however, there is the book Dune Messiah. Villeneuve has stated he would be very interested in adapting this story, potentially as part three of the Dune film saga. While nothing is confirmed, it is very likely to hinge on how successful the second part is. Dune Part 2 will tell the second half of the book, but Paul Atreides’ story doesn't end there, and Villeneuve is keen to tell his story in the entirety. Without spoiling key aspects of the second film, Messiah takes place 12 years after the main events of Dune, with Paul tackling the responsibilities of being Emperor and Fremen messiah, traversing the complex path of religion and politics. While the story would add a great deal to Paul’s character, and finish his arc through the moral quagmire of revenge, leadership, and honor, it also adds a disconnected feeling to what could be a well-polished and finished story. Dune has a conclusion, and it’s hard to imagine how Villeneuve could add a whole book’s worth of information to a third film, without it feeling tagged on as an afterthought. Of course, he has already done what was perceived as impossible, formulating a story deemed too hard for screens into a masterpiece. If anyone can do it, it’s him.
Dune and Dune Messiah follows the story of Paul, where Children of Dune and the 4th book, God Emperor of Dune, follow his son and successor Leto II. If these second two books weren’t so strange and psychedelic (Leto II is the one that turns himself into a sandworm-human hybrid, by the way), then it could be a great opportunity for a second film series — but it would be difficult to adapt such tales. The final two stories are disconnected, Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse: Dune exploring the destruction of the Empire after the death of Leto, and eventually the destruction of the magical Arrakis planet itself. While the stories are solid, there is a ridiculous amount of backstory needed to understand what is going on. This can’t be done without making the previous two books into films, or re-writing the story almost completely in order for it to make sense.
What could make an amazing film, however, is House Atreides, written by Frank Herbert’s son Brian Herbert alongside Kevin J. Anderson. While not technically part of the original series, it explores the life of Paul's father, 35 years before the events of Dune. This book features everything: a backstory to the Atreides family, context to the Atreides and Harkonnen disputes, intergalactic warfare. It would also be a great way to sneak in more Bene Gesserit context, as well as more about Paul’s mother lady Jessica Atreides. Above all, it would also allow the amazing Moon Knight himself, Oscar Issac, to reprise his role as Leto the first. Of all the potential Dune content that could be adapted for the screen, House Atreides is perhaps the best candidate.