As the final chapter of Denis Villeneuve's epic Dune trilogy prepares to hit theaters this December, fans are revisiting the saga that started it all—including the notorious 1984 adaptation by David Lynch. That version, which has become a cult favorite despite its initial failure, will be available on HBO Max starting November 1. It's a perfect opportunity to see why Quentin Tarantino has sworn off the new films entirely.
Lynch's Dune was released two decades after Frank Herbert's groundbreaking novel, which itself predates George Lucas's Star Wars. The film starred Kyle MacLachlan as Paul Atreides—the role Timothée Chalamet plays in Villeneuve's trilogy—alongside Patrick Stewart, Virginia Madsen, and Sting. Despite a hefty budget of over $40 million, it grossed only about $30 million in North America, becoming a box-office bomb and earning poor reviews at the time.
Lynch was famously unhappy with the final cut, even attempting to remove his name from the project. Today, the film holds a 36% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it "too dry to work as grand entertainment" while acknowledging Lynch's "flair for the surreal." Over the years, it has gained a massive cult following, not just among Herbert's fans but also among admirers of Lynch's unique style.
Tarantino, known for his outspoken opinions, has made it clear he has no interest in Villeneuve's adaptations. On Bret Easton Ellis's podcast, he complained about Hollywood's reliance on franchises and existing IP, saying, "I don't need to see spice worms. I don't need to see a movie that says the word 'spice' so dramatically." He's already seen Lynch's version, and that's enough for him.
Meanwhile, Villeneuve's Dune and Dune: Part Two have collectively grossed over $1 billion worldwide, and Dune: Part Three is expected to break franchise records when it debuts in December, going head-to-head with Avengers: Doomsday. It's a clash of titans that has fans buzzing.
For those who want to experience the original cinematic take on Arrakis, Lynch's Dune will be streaming on HBO Max starting November 1. It's a fascinating piece of sci-fi history, and you can judge for yourself whether Tarantino is missing out or making a wise choice.
If you're in the mood for more Tarantino, check out his recent VOD success or catch Pulp Fiction before it leaves Prime Video. And for more on the Dune phenomenon, stay tuned to ShowtimeSpot for all the latest updates.
