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Dune movie release date pushed back to 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic

Pierra WillixThe West Australian
Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck.
Camera IconJosh Brolin as Gurney Halleck. Credit: Chiabella James

We’ll have to wait even longer to see a new movie at the cinema after sci-fi epic Dune was delayed once again.

The star-studded silver screen adaption of Frank Herbert’s famed 1965 science fiction novel Dune was due to be released in the United States on December 18 and in Australia on Boxing Day.

But has been pushed back almost a year to be released in October 2021.

The release of countless blockbusters are facing setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with many production companies opting to hold off until audiences can go back to cinemas around the world.

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Dune is now scheduled to go head-to-head with Robert Pattinson’s The Batman, with the two movies to be released in the US on the same day on October 1.

The news comes after it was announced last week Daniel Craig’s last turn as James Bond in No Time to Die would now be released in April next year. It was originally due to hit screens in November this year.

Director Denis Villeneuve and Javier Bardem on the set of Dune.
Camera IconDirector Denis Villeneuve and Javier Bardem on the set of Dune. Credit: Chiabella James

One of the most anticipated films of the year, Dune centres on the dangerous desert planet Arrakis — also known as Dune — and its inhabitants.

The story at the centre of the book and upcoming film is focused on Paul Atreides, the son of Duke Leto, who is asked to oversee the planet, but their existence there is also threatened by the presence of giant sand worms.

Starring Timothée Chalamet (Call Me By Your Name, The King, Little Women) as Paul, with recent Emmy winner Zendaya (Euphoria) playing his love interest Chani.

Other Hollywood stars in the film also include Josh Brolin, Jason Momoa, Stellan Skarsgård and Javier Bardem.

Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson in Dune.
Camera IconTimothée Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson in Dune.

While there have been two previous adaptions of the world’s best selling science fiction novel, David Lynch’s 1986 film was a box-office failure and was widely panned by critics, while a television miniseries in 2000 was received better, picking up two Emmy Awards the following year.

However, anticipation is high for director Denis Villeneuve’s (Sicaro, Blade Runner 2049) take on the source material.

A huge fan himself of the novel, Villeneuve said the storylines and themes in the novel were too complex for a single film, and only signed on to direct after Warner Bros. agreed to split it into a two-part series.

The film was shot in Jordan and Norway.

Warner Bros. has declined to comment on the delay.

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