Lasting 2 hours and 35 minutes, Dune could have been even longer if Denis Villeneuve had not made some drastic cuts. Focus on a pretty crazy action sequence that was ultimately sacrificed on the editing bench.
After playing superheroes in Aquaman and Justice League, Jason Momoa slipped into the costume of Duncan Idaho, Paul Atreides’ mentor and fencing master in Dune. The actor did not hesitate a second before agreeing to lend his features to this iconic character from Frank Herbert’s novels.
“I was amazed when Denis Villeneuve called me because he is undoubtedly one of my five favorite directors, whether alive or dead”, enthuses the actor in the press kit of the film. “I adore him and I adore all his films: he’s a god in my eyes. He’s been crazy about this book since he was 14 years old: he dreamed of making this film, he has a very clear vision of final result and he knows exactly what he wants. I tried to give him satisfaction. I really wanted to be part of this universe “Momoa confessed.
The artist felt flattered to interpret this man “a little mysterious, but very loyal and honest”. “Denis wanted an actor who could play a powerful character, able to win the respect of his troops and convincing in the role of the knight watching over Paul and Jessica – that is his duty. I was first a stuntman and j reassured Denis by telling him that I was ready to face anyone and that I would do very well! “, explains the actor.
A CRAZY WATERFALL CUT TO THE MOUNTING
Jason Momoa has several moments of bravery in the film, demonstrating his qualities as a fighter. The actor then evokes a Dantesque sequence which is ultimately not found in the final cut of Dune. “What really appealed to me was that Duncan is an explorer. It was exhilarating to shoot the scene where he leaves the stealth ship and falls through space to land on Arrakis.”, reveals the actor in the press kit.
It was exhilarating to shoot the scene where he leaves the stealth ship and tumbles through space to land on Arrakis.
This waterfall, which looks absolutely spectacular, unfortunately does not appear in the film. Denis Villeneuve surely had to sacrifice it to shorten his story and get to the point. Perhaps this sequence was also considered too “superheroic” by the filmmaker, who preferred to cut it.
A LONG VERSION FOR DUNE?
In addition, Jason Momoa confided last August that it would take a version of 4 to 6 hours to fully capture the vision of the director. “It was really a cool movie to make. I don’t want us to cut back, I want us to be able to see the vision of Denis Villeneuve as a whole. You know what they would have to do. do? They should do a 4-6 hour version for that first episode of Dune so viewers can watch it like a TV series. “, he said in the columns of the New York Times.
If it was complicated to imagine a cinema version of 4 or 6 hours for the first part of Dune, we can think that Denis Villeneuve will release a long version in blu-ray / DVD, like Lord of the Rings or recent Justice League. We hope to find there this impressive waterfall showing Jason Momoa jumping through space and landing with panache on Arrakis.
Dune Making Of “Imax”
