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This post contains spoilers for the "Dune" book series.

Dennis Villeneuve's "Dune" doesn't open with an aerial view of Caladan or an introductory shot of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet). Instead, we hear a voice: Chani (Zendaya) sets the tone for the "Dune" saga to come by talking about her home planet, Arrakis, and how beautiful it is. However, she is quick to underline the looming threat of colonizers and the disenfranchisement of the Fremen. "The outsiders ravage our lands in front of our eyes[...] Their cruelty to my people is all I've known," she states, rooting us in her perspective by prefacing Paul's story with a dire warning.

Our first impression of Chani through Paul's eyes — both in Frank Herbert's book "Dune" and Villeneuve's first "Dune" movie — is in the form of dreams. Paul's budding prescience makes him dream of Arrakis even before he sets foot on the desert planet,...

This post contains spoilers for Frank Herbert's "Dune" novel series.

In Denis Villeneuve's "Dune: Part Two," Paul (Timothée Chalamet) acquaints himself with the ways of the Fremen, who gradually welcome him as one of their own. This sentiment is cemented once Paul passes the Wormriding ceremony with flying colors, hopping on top of a massive sandworm in a rather impressive demonstration of "desert power." The sandworms, whom the Fremen refer to as Shai-Hulud, are intrinsic to the cultural values of the Arakeen natives, who associate these creatures with sacred divinity. As the Shai-Hulud commands both fear and respect, it is not surprising that the term quite literally translates to notions of eternity, with connotations of immortality attached to it. To exist alongside the Shai-Hulud is to honor life itself, and revel in the mystifying forces baked into its very DNA.

Frank Herbert's "Dune" consciously delves into Arrakis' complex ecosystem,...

Christopher Nolan, the lauded filmmaker behind modern classics like Inception, Oppenheimer, and The Dark Knight trilogy, has an incredibly relatable complaint about Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two. Villeneuve's sequel blew past audience's expectations by expanding upon the incredibly complicated world, while telling a (mostly) grounded, personal story of the relationship between Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and Chani (Zendaya). Despite being based on the incredibly complex and dense sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert, Villeneuve's Dune films are surprisingly digestible for even the most apprehensive sci-fi fan. But, audiences have one complaint about the sequel, and they share it with Christopher Nolan.

There's a screenwriting rule that no two characters' names should start with the same letter, so that audiences don't get confused by who's who. Dune took that rule and fed it to the sandworms as, not only do some of the characters have incredibly strange names, Paul Atreides goes by many,...

Christopher Nolan recently moderated an FYC conversation with Denis Villeneuve after a screening of “Dune: Part Two” and raved about his love for the sequel, calling it “a miraculous job of adaptation.” The “Oppenheimer” Oscar winner joins the likes of Steven Spielberg and other top directors in praising “Dune: Part Two,” which is one of Warner Bros.’ top Oscar contenders this season.

“I watched the second half and I think it’s a miraculous job of adaptation, of taking that second half and making an incredible conclusion of the story,” Nolan said. “I have a lot of questions about how you did that, starting with: Usul, Muad’Dib, Paul, Lisan al Gaib. How many fucking names can you give one character and expect us to keep up with it?”

“There is a serious question behind that,” Nolan continued. “Most adaptations, it’s a process of condensing things and simplifying things.

Dune lore spoilers ahead.

Author Frank Herbert's original sci-fi novel Dune launched one of the most beloved outer space adventures in all literature. Many books followed, and as a result, the Dune saga explored several topics from the eyes of various characters. For example, the monopolies on vital resources, the fallibility of great leaders, and the power of ecology and religion.

For the most part, the Dune universe lacks aliens such as Klingons or Wookiees, but it does have the mighty sandworms – armored giants that prowl the dunes of the arid world, Arrakis. Everyone who lives or works on Dune knows what the sandworms are. However, most people don't truly understand these exotic creatures.

Updated on March 21st, 2024 by Louis Kemner: This list of Dune sandworm facts has been updated to adhere to Cbr's current publication standards and has new information pertaining to Dune: Part Two.

Sandworms Sense Prey...

Quick Links Paul Atreides' Usul Is a More Human, Caring Hero Paul Atreides' Mahdi Begins to Tiptoe Into Darkness Paul Atreides' Lisan al Gaib Grows Colder Paul Atreides' Kwisatz Haderach Transcends Humanity Paul Atreides Fully Embraces His Power as Muad'Dib

The following contains spoilers for Dune: Part Two, now playing in theaters.

Frank Herbert's Dune and subsequent adaptations are predicated on protagonist Paul Atreides being a prophesied messiah meant to liberate the galaxy. In Denis Villeneuve's movie series, Paul Atreides' (Timothée Chalamet) journey begins in 2021's Dune and continues in Dune: Part Two. Here, he is more cognizant of his role and the prophecy that he will save the cosmos from the Imperium and Harkonnens.

However, it isn't a straightforward arc of growth. Part of Paul doesn't want this destiny, fearing the kind of monster he will have to become. Throughout the narrative of Dune: Part Two, Paul...

Warning! This article contains Spoilers for Dune: Part Two!

Dune 2 shows Paul's transformation as he embraces new names and titles, diving deeper into his destiny and role in a war-torn universe. Changes from the book aside, Dune 2 explores Paul's ascension to Duke and warrior names, hinting at his descent into power and revenge. As Paul evolves into Muad'dib, Usul, and the Lisan al Gaib, he becomes the Emperor, setting the stage for a holy war in his quest for control.

Denis Villeneuve's movie, Dune: Part Two, is a stunning follow-up to Dune: Part One because of how well it introduces the new names and titles that Paul uses to claim his power. Timothée Chalamet returns as Paul in the film that concludes the events of Dune, the novel by Frank Herbert that the film series is based on. Throughout the movie, Paul learns about himself, his destiny,...

Paul becomes Muad'Dib & gains new powers in the Dune 2 plot, setting the stage for his journey towards fulfilling his destiny. Jessica's transformation into a Reverend Mother solidifies Paul's position as the Fremen messiah. Paul's retaliation against the Harkonnens and emperor leads to him becoming the ruler of the known universe.

Warning: Spoilers for Dune and Dune: Part Two below.Denis Villeneuve's Dune only tells half the story of Frank Herbert's original novel, leaving much of the story for the Dune 2 plot. The novel follows Paul Atreides, the son of Duke Leto and Lady Jessica. When their status as a noble house threatens the emperor of the feudal-like galaxy, the Atreides are given stewardship over the planet Arrakis. Despite knowing that this setup is a trap, Duke Leto and his family journey to Arakkis and are immediately embroiled in the complicated geopolitics of this new planet.

This article contains light spoilers for Dune: Part Two.

Even the biggest fan of David Lynch‘s original Dune movie from 1984 has to admit the (unintentional?) comedy that occurs when Chani (Sean Young) pleads for Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan) to “tell me of your homeworld, Usul.” In the very next scene, the two are in the throes of passion, suggesting that “tell me of your homewold, Usul” is a pick-up line with the power of the Voice.

Believe it or not, the name “Usul” is not some Lynchian term like “Garmonbozia,” something he made up during transcendental meditation. Rather it comes directly from the Frank Herbert book he adapts. Similar to “Muad’Dib,” Usul is a name that the Fremen give to Paul, this one meaning “the strength of the base of the pillar.” But whereas Muad’Dib refers to Paul’s relationship within his Sietch (as well as desert mice!