Q: What assurances can you offer Herbert's fans that his vision will be conveyed as written, and as intended, as opposed to the more Hollywood-ized vision of earlier attempts? In short, do you trust your audience enough to give them Herbert's vision uncut?
A: I took this assignment with the clear understanding that my version would be an adaptation true to Herbert's book, not my interpretation of it, and that I would change as little as possible in the narrative structure. In fact, the story plan I pitched to the network was to have each night mirror the interior "books" of the novel. That is...Night One: Dune; Night Two: Muad'dib; Night Three: The Prophet. And we've remained true to that structure.
That said, however, there are concessions to film narrative that had to be made. A novel by definition can have a more abstract structure, more interior monologue, more psychological and descriptive musings that in film must be "externalized." So, there will be obvious adaptations in this area. The story line is a bit more linear. Some events may be ordered slightly differently than the book. And there will be no voice-over thought processes.
All in all, though, I believe the spirit and the letter of Frank Herbert's book is all over this mini-series. In fact, because I have six hours to tell the story, I've been able to explore Herbert's themes of religious mysticism and fanaticism, the cultural life in the seitches, the character conflicts, the moral struggles to a much greater degree than a feature length film could.
That part of the audience coming to the story for the first time will find it provocative and entertaining. The fans will be rewarded with the story they already know and love coming to life in all its rich detail.
Previous Questions
07.03.00 - What assurances can you offer Herbert's fans that his vision will be conveyed as written?
07.10.00 - What do you hope to accomplish with a second film about Dune?
07.17.00 - Will the miniseries depict the warfare accurately from the book or will they be fighting with projectile weapons?
07.24.00 - How far will you be going into the Dune series - will you be going further into the other novels?
08.07.00 - Why did you cast Alec Newman as Paul Atreides? He is too old. Paul is 15, and from the pictures I've seen Newman looks much older.
08.14.00 - Are we going to see a new look for the sandworms?
08.21.00 - Will the series reflect the importance of the "witches" role played in Frank Herbert's series?
08.28.00 - Will we get to see Count Fenring and more of the Duncan Idaho and Gurney Halleck characters?
09.04.00 - How have you externalized the thoughts expressed by the characters, since they are such an integral part of Frank Herbert's complex story?
09.11.00 - Have the actors been encouraged to disguise their accents at all?
09.18.00 - Do you consider this version of the Dune novel, your version, to be a great accomplishment for you?
09.25.00 - In terms of clothing design and stillsuits, did the illustrations from the book have any influence at all?
10.16.00 - What overall role will the Guild play in the miniseries?
10.23.00 - Are any of the actors under contract to return for a possible sequel?
10.30.00 - Will the ornithopter be used in this production? If so what measures will be taken to ensure a realistic portrayal of such aircraft?
11.06.00 - Will the personal shields have a unique look or will they look like the ones shown in the David Lynch film?
11.13.00 - Will the Wierding Way be accurately depicted in your movie?
11.20.00 - Will the pronunciations in the miniseries be true to what Frank Herbert intended?
11.27.00 - How have you and your production team brought the Fremen Crysknives to life?
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