The long-awaited release of “Dune” is finally here. Although it has an official release date on Friday, October 22, it will be available for streaming on HBO Max and in select theatres on Thursday, October 21, starting at 6 PM EST.
Officially titled “Dune: Part One” the film is the first in an anticipated two-part series adapted from Frank Herbert’s 1965 science fiction novel of the same name. It is the second film adaptation after David Lynch’s 1984 film, which was considered a disappointment at the box office and garnered many negative reviews.
The franchise reboot is looking to score a more positive reception and features an all-star cast consisting of Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, and Jason Momoa.
With fans about to head to the theaters, the question on everyone’s mind is: do we need to sit through the credits to see a post-credits scene hinting at what’s to come in the next installment?
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Is There An After Credits Scene?
The short answer is: no, there’s not.
Director Denis Villeneuve has gone on record saying that he is not a fan of post-credit scenes and does not include it in his impressive portfolio, which includes films such as 2016’s “Arrival” and 2017’s “Blade Runner 2049.”
“I don’t like post-credits scenes,” Villeneuve revealed. “There is a very specific final emotion that I was looking for with the final frame [of Dune] and I don’t want to mess with that. So no, I don’t use post-credits scenes. I’ve never done that and I would never.”
Unfortunately for fans, he also shot down rumors started by “Game of Thrones” actor Jason Momoa that fans might someday see a longer director’s cut of the film.
“I love Jason but such a thing doesn’t exist,” he admitted. “The director’s cut is what people are watching in theatres right now. There will be no other cut. Yes, I could have made a much longer, more contemplative movie, but that was not the plan.”
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Early Reviews
Early reviews of “Dune” have been pretty positive, which is a relief to fans hoping to see “Dune: Part Two,” which has not officially been green-lit.
“I think there’s a lot of enthusiasm in the reaction that we’ve got so far, but it’s my understanding that [the producers] want to wait and see the overall reaction before making a decision,” Villeneuve admitted.
Variety’s Owen Gleiberman gave ‘Dune’ “five stars for world-building and about two-and-a-half for storytelling.”
IGN’s Scott Collura gave a more mixed review, saying “This is a technically brilliant, visually amazing movie with a top-notch cast and deep sci-fi concepts. A shame, then, that it feels like a drag in its back half.”
Ben Travis of Empire left a much more positive review, writing, “An absorbing, awe-inspiringly huge adaptation of (half of) Frank Herbert’s novel that will wow existing acolytes, and get newcomers hooked on its Spice-fuelled visions. If Part Two never happens, it’ll be a travesty.”
“Dune” currently has an 85% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is available in theatres and streaming on HBO Max.
