Movies - TV
The First Draft Of Dune's Opening Would've Totally Wrecked The Budget
By DEVIN MEENAN
Frank Herbert's "Dune" saga has been described as impossible to adapt until director Denis Villeneuve delivered two recent films.
However, there were limits to how much could be adapted. "Dune" screenwriter Eric Roth described to IndieWire his original pitch for the movie's opening sequence.
He shared, "I started the movie with what would seem to be 'Genesis — 'and God created'— and you think you're seeing the formation of the Earth. And it's Dune, with wild animals."
Roth remembered Villeneuve's answer, "This is magnificent, but now we can't afford the rest of the movie." Instead, the film opens with a prologue explaining Arrakis' history.
Both films had a considerably low budget for a modern blockbuster. "Dune" had a limit of $165 million, while "Dune: Part Two" had a reported budget of $190 million.