I think everyone knows that from the past two months the industry is at a standstill because of the WGA (Writers’) strike. I think we all have an idea about the pitiful condition of writers throughout the world be it any industry. Hollywood is no different and treats these creative minds poorly. The Guild has shown an extremely bold stance against these money hungry organizations by refusing any work until the studios finally pay heed to the genuine demands of writers. Now, even the actors have joined the WGA’s strike via SAG-AFTRA , as if Hollywood wasn’t in enough trouble already. This definitely means that your favorite TV shows and movies will come to a halt and will be indefinitely delayed. Even films that have completed their production are reportedly delayed. Like Dune: Part Two.
This is because the studios can’t use actors for press tours and various other activities while promoting their film. I don’t have to tell you how big of an asset actors are during promotion. So, is Dune: Part Two delayed? A new report says otherwise.
Dune: Part Two Won’t Be Delayed According To IMAX CEO!
Many reports have surfaced in the past week suggesting Dune: Part Two, one of the most anticipated films of the year, would be delayed to 2024 as Warner Bros. wants to use all the actors for the sequel’s promotion. If they release the film on the scheduled date then the studio won’t be able to promote Dune 2 with all it’s cast. This is because the actors’ (SAG-AFTRA) strike prevents actors from promoting new movies. The first Dune film already suffered because of the Covid-19 restrictions that it was released during.
So, Warner Bros. doesn’t want to risk the hype around what could become the biggest film of 2023. Despite the pandemic restrictions, Dune: Part One still made $402 million worldwide (on a budget of $165 million), thanks to the all-star cast, the stunning cinematography, and it being based on a supremely popular sci-fi book series. Based on this alone, you can imagine what the film could’ve done in normal circumstances. Unfortunately, it looks like Dune 2 might also release in unusual conditions.
Hence, the Warners want to push the sequel to next year to get a bigger box office haul. However, it looks like delaying the film might not be a wise choice according to IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond. He explains quite well why the sequel should follow the planned release trajectory, “If you put it back in the gate, you’ve got to duplicate those expenses at some time in the future of putting it out of the gate. In addition, Dune has a very long run time in IMAX, up to five or six weeks.”
We all know the current craze of the IMAX experience. Oppenheimer’s box office collections are a live example of the same. Last year, Top Gun: Maverick collected $110.3 million out of its $1.49 billion worldwide gross. Of the $400 million gross of Dune at the box office in 2021, 20 percent was from IMAX ticket sales, meaning the movie made $50 million just from IMAX screens. As the sequel is also shot in IMAX and beautiful visuals were the first film’s stand out feature, everyone would want to experience Dune 2 on the biggest screen possible.
So, it looks Warner Bros. would choose an extended IMAX run over actors’ availability for proper promotion. If you were one of those people who were upset that the film might be delayed to next year, like me, then don’t worry I think the film is on track for a 2023 release.
Watch the official IMAX trailer for Dune: Part Two on YouTube:
Dune 2 adds even more faces into the fold, including Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha, Christopher Walken as Shaddam IV and Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot. Dune: Part One is available for streaming on HBO Max or Amazon Prime Video depending on the region where you live.
Dune: Part Two premieres exclusively in theaters on Nov. 3, 2023.
If you have any questions regarding Dune: Part Two, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!
