Star Wars is far from the original epic science fiction adventure and one of its biggest predecessors is about to take up the big screen mantle with the Dune UK release date planned for Autumn 2021 (details below). You can also find out more about the age rating to see how old you need to be to watch the film, as well as more details in the parents guide notes.
The release is the second big screen adaptation for Dune, following on from the 1984 David Lynch film, which included sci-fi stalwarts Patrick Stewart (Picard) and Max von Sydow (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) in the cast. The 2021 film will be the first of two movies covering the 1965 novel, which itself was originally released as two parts in Analog magazine.
AdvertisementFor anyone not up on their science fiction knowledge, the story follows Duke Atreides as he becomes ward for the spice rich desert planet of Arrakis, otherwise known as Dune. It’s a futuristic political epic, which will suit director Denis Villeneuve very well, and with the success of his other big sci-fi efforts, Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, it should be just as visually impressive and mind-bending.
Cast
The links to Star Wars continue with the casting of Oscar Isaacs as Duke Atreides, following on from his role as Poe Dameron. There’s more big-name sci-fi stars in the mix too with Josh Brolin of Avengers Endgame fame playing Gurney Halleck, a role that was previously played by Patrick Stewart in the 1984 film. Rebecca Ferguson (Doctor Sleep) plays Lady Jessica, the Duke’s super-powered concubine and mother to his son, Paul, who will be played by newcomer Timothée Chalamet (The French Dispatch).
AdvertisementStellan Skarsgård (Thor, Avengers, Avengers: Age Of Ultron) has also been cast in Dune 2021, playing the Duke’s sworn enemy Baron Vladimir Harkonnen with Dave Bautista cast as his nephew Glossu Rabban in his second role for Villeneuve after Blade Runner 2049. The continuity from the director’s previous film is added to by David Dastmalchian, who is also down to star in The Suicide Squad, DCs next big Harley Quinn film, which should build on from the success of Birds Of Prey.
The impressive cast is completed by Zendaya (Spider-Man: No Way Home) as Chani, Charlotte Rampling (Red Sparrow) as Gaius Helen Mohiam, Jason Momoa (Aquaman) as Duncan Idaho and Javier Bardem as Stilgar.
Dune (2021) UK release date
The Dune (2021) UK release date took place on Thursday the 21st October 2021, following a long delay due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. It was previously due out in Britain on the 18th December 2020, so it has switched it’s Christmas run for a mid autumn drop. It has had a number of date changes recently as it was also slated for the 17th September, but this has now been put back to October.
AdvertisementThe other films to contend with for the box office crown include Venom 2 Let There Be Carnage, which is out a week earlier, along with The French Dispatch and Ron’s Gone Wrong, which arrive in the UK on the same weekend. However, we’re expecting Dune to come out as the number 1 film.
With the autumn 2021 release date, it will then go on to come out on DVD, Blu-ray and digital in the UK in either late February or early March 2022.
If you want to support us here at Tuppence Magazine, you can follow us on Twitter to see news and updates on upcoming films, and you can see more on the movie with the official Warner Bros. Twitter page at https://twitter.com/wbpictures.
Age rating and parents guide
The official details for the Dune 2021 UK age rating was confirmed by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) with the the release date just around the corner. It has been given a 12A certificate, which is similar to the 12 for the 1984 adaptation of the film, but a little lower than the 15 certification for Blade Runner 2049.
The parents guide notes include moderate violence, threat and bloody images along with some sex references and mild language. The scariest element of the film is the giant monster worms that stalk the sand dunes of Arrakis, but the Harkonnen horde can be pretty sinister too. However, the worst of the 1984 film will probably take place in the sequel to Dune (2021).
You can also check out our movie news section to see other upcoming films, or read more about the Dune novels that have inspired the film at https://www.dunenovels.com/novels.
Runtime
The Runtime for Dune 2021 has now been confirmed as 2 hours 35 minutes, which is just a little shy of Denis Villeneuve’s longest film to-date, Blade Runner 2049, which clocked in at 2 hours 40.
