Dune: Prophecyexecutive producer Jordan Goldberg explains how accurate the streaming series is to the books. Taking place 10,000 years beforeDune,the prequel is set long before the rise of Paul Atreidesas seen in Denis Villeneuve’sDuneandDune: Part Twoadaptations of Frank Herbert’s original novel.Dune: Prophecy’s main cast of charactersare Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson), Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams), Empress Natalya (Jodhi May), Princess Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), and Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong).
While speaking withScreen RantatNew York Comic Con,Goldberg clarified thatDune: Prophecyis a close adaptation ofSisterhood of Dune,and its sequels,Mentats of DuneandNavigators of Dune, all of which were written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.Goldberg further explained that while many elements are taken from these books,Dune: Prophecyalso tells a new story, specifically where the character of Valya is concerned. Check out Goldberg’s comments below:
We are a sort of close adaptation of The Sisterhood of Dune. I think that trilogy kind of tells that story that keeps going in the other two books. So, naturally, we move out there in the other two books as well, taking what we need from it to tell our story. And we also get to tell a new story that’s not in the books and that is about Valya Harkonnen’s stewardship of the Sisterhood.
What This Means For Dune: Prophecy
It Is Not A Direct Adaptation
Even thoughDune: Prophecywill be incorporating many details from the prequel books about theorigins of the Bene Gesserit, it will also be telling its own stories. This means thatDune: Prophecywill not be a direct adaptation in the same way that Villeneuve’sDuneandDune: Part Twowereto the original novel. Such an approach can be advantageous for the prequel series, allowing it to take the best parts from the books and add new characters and stories to flesh out Bene Gesserit’s beginnings.
Dune: Prophecy Timeline - How Long Before The Movies It’s Set
Dune: Prophecy will take place several millennia before the events of Dune but will still feature Harkonnens, Carrinos, Atreides, & the Bene Gesserit.
Deviations fromSisterhood of Duneand its sequels will likely not be met with a divisive response, as the prequels are not as widely read or as well-regarded as the originalDune, which is one of the science-fiction genre’s most influential stories.Dune: Prophecy’s creative approach has the potential to satisfy longtime and more recent fans of the franchiseas it answers questions about the powerful and mysterious Bene Gesserit, along with further fleshing out theHarkonnen and Atreides families. This could make the series as accessible and well-received as Villeneuve’s movies.
Our Take On Jordan Goldberg’s Comments
Dune: ProphecyCan Have The Best Of Both Worlds
Dune: Prophecyis the perfect follow-up to the critical and commercial success ofDune: Part Two. The focus on Valya’s story that is not in the books is an effective way to build on the lore of the Harkonnen family and the Bene Gesserit established in the recentDuneadaptations.Dune: Prophecycan closely adaptSisterhood of Dunewhile still making changes that strengthen the narrativeof the prequel and how the story is translated into a streaming series.
Dune: Prophecy
Cast
Set in the universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune series, Dune: Prophecy, a sci-fi epic, follows the political and spiritual struggles on the desert planet of Arrakis. As factions vie for control of the prized spice melange, a prophesied hero emerges, challenging the balance of power and the fate of the galaxy.
