Summary
Dunefans will soon have more to look forward to in the franchise as the spin-off seriesDune: Prophecyapproaches its release date. The HBO TV show will be the next chapter in Denis Villeneuve’s cinematic sci-fi franchise ahead ofthe release ofDune 3.
Dune: Prophecyis a prequel set thousands of years before the events ofDune: Part OneandPart Two. The series will be an adaptation of Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s prequel novel,Sisterhood of Dune, which is being adapted for TV by Alison Schapker (Westworld, Altered Carbon). The series will primarily focus on the Bene Gesserit, aka the powerful sisterhood of superhuman women that Rebecca Ferguson’s Lady Jessica is a part of in theDunemovies. As marketing forDune: Prophecyramps up ahead of its November 17 release date, trailers have teased a sprawling sci-fi television epic that is akin to one ofHBO’s other major titles,Game of Thrones.
Dune and Game of Thrones Share Many Similarities
WhilstDune: ProphecyandGame of Thronesare situated in completely different genres and universes, they share many similarities. Both series are based on epic book sagas written byhigh-profile authors, George R.R. Martinand Frank Herbert, who have huge fan bases. Both stories take place in sprawling and intricately crafted worlds that take full advantage of the sci-fi and fantasy genres, becoming timeless classics in their respective niches. And, while the plots of both stories diverge greatly, they share similar concepts,such as warring houses, prophecies, and a quest for power. Given all that, it’s natural to expect thatDune: Prophecywill appeal to fans ofGame of Thrones, but the latest trailers have only confirmed that this series may fill the void left by the HBO fantasy series.
Dune: Prophecy Features A Fight for the Throne
Dune Prophecy’s Trailer Sets Up A Political War
Dune: Prophecy’sofficial trailer was released a few weeks ago at New York Comic Con, and it set up a sci-fi world of intrigue, secrets, and conspiracy. LikeGame of Thrones, Dune: Prophecyis an ensemble piece, focusing on a range of characters in varying positions of power and from different backgrounds within theDuneuniverse. Much of the series will be seenthrough the eyes of two Harkonnen sisters, Valya (Emily Watson) and Tula (Olivia Williams), who help form the sect known as the Bene Gesserit. In Villeneuve’sDunemovies, the Bene Gesserit is an established sisterhood with members situated throughout the great houses.Dune: Prophecywill explain how they came to have such influence, and what they had to sacrifice to get there.
The most important piece of the puzzle inDune: Prophecyis the Emperor and his throne. Similar toGame of Thrones, the sci-fi series will involve a fight for the regency, with many different players vying for a shot at the ruling power. Mark Strong playsEmperor Javicco Corrino inDune: Prophecy, who is the reigning ruler in control of the Imperium, but it is a fragile peace, with many of the great houses eyeing off his seat. “The Imperium is a circus of fear and rumor, I’m surrounded by vipers,” Corrino says at one point during theDune: Prophecytrailer. It’s not hard to see the similarity this bears toGame of Thrones, which similarly features many noble houses from a variety of regions fighting to sit on Westeros’ revered Iron throne.
The Imperium is a circus of fear and rumor, I’m surrounded by vipers.
It’s not just the complex political plot thatDune: Prophecyshares withGame of Thrones. The series will also seemingly match the fantasy series’ budget, which is no doubt a perk of them both being housed at HBO. Many shots in the trailer seem to suggest thatDune: Prophecywill match the visual aesthetic and scale of the movies. Whether it’s scenesfeaturing Arrakis’ giant sandwormsor establishing shots of vast new sci-fi cities,Dune: Prophecyclearly has a blockbuster budget. Similar toGame of Thrones, it also has a formidable cast attached, with Watson, Williams, and Strong just some of the notable names alongside the likes of Travis Fimmel (Vikings) and Jodhi May (The Witcher).
Is Dune Prophecy the Next Game of Thrones?
It’s clear thatDune: ProphecyandGame of Thronesshare similarities in terms of scale, worldbuilding, themes, and budget, but will theDuneTV series be a true equal?Game of Throneswas considered a global phenomenon and was one of the most-watched series of all time.Dune: Prophecy could be poised to follow a similar trajectory. The TV series sits within Denis Villeneuve’s establishedDuneuniverse, from which both movies released so far have seen sizable success at the box office and awards ceremonies. The series also has aninbuilt fanbase thanks to Herbert’s novels, which setsDune: Prophecyup with a considerable audience from the get-go. The series will still need to deliver on what it promises in its trailers, but HBO has a reliable track record with genre television shows.
Many TV series have tried to take the moniker ofthe “next”Game of Thronessince the series ended back in 2019. In reality, no series has truly lit the world on fire in the same way. While no TV series should be expected to live up toGame of Thrones’success,Dune: Prophecydoes look to offer viewers a similar experience, albeit in a sci-fi world, which might be enough for it to succeed.
Dune: Prophecywill be released on HBO and Max on June 06, 2025.
Dune
Based on the novel by Frank Herbert, Dune follows the story of Paul Atreides played by Timothée Chalamet, whose family take control of a planet that holds the key to faster than light travel, and certain mental powers. This futuristic fantasy world is rife with politics, religion, wars and betrayals, as empires and factions fight for control over the planet.
