In a shocking cinematic universe the place sand dunes rise like mountains and the destiny of galaxies hangs within the stability, Denis Villeneuve‘s first voyage into the Frank Herbert’s “Dune” saga clinched six of its 10 Oscar nominations. But, in a twist as dramatic as Dr. Wellington killing Duke Leto, Villeneuve discovered himself ignored in one of the best director class — a snub that left followers (and pundits) in disbelief. I dare the Academy’s Administrators Department to make such an omission as soon as once more.

As “Dune: Half Two” unfolds, we dive again into the treacherous universe alongside Paul Atreides, performed by the ever-charismatic Timothée Chalamet. In search of vengeance for his father’s loss of life (Oscar Isaac), Paul’s journey intertwines with new allies and enemies, portrayed by a constellation of stars together with Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem and Christopher Walken.

Villeneuve, a up to date maestro of the display screen, has spent over a decade crafting narratives that redefine genres — from the suspenseful “Prisoners” to the action-packed “Sicario” and the thought-provoking “Arrival.” His work, significantly in science fiction, has not at all times acquired the popularity it deserves, a destiny shared by many genre-defining movies earlier than it. But Villeneuve’s “Dune: Half Two” goals to interrupt the cycle like its predecessors corresponding to “2001: A Area Odyssey” and “Star Wars” as soon as did. Nonetheless, for each triumph, there are the defeated (or ignored), irrespective of how acclaimed and beloved they’re, like “The Empire Strikes Again” (1980), “Blade Runner” (1982) and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991).

The primary “Dune” turned the sixth movie in Oscar historical past to be nominated in all seven technical classes after “Titanic” (1997), “Grasp and Commander: The Far Facet of the World” (2003), “Hugo” (2011), “Mad Max: Fury Street” and “The Revenant” (2015). It might seemingly repeat in those self same classes with noms (even perhaps wins?) for manufacturing design (Patrice Vermette, Zsuzsanna Sipios, Shane Vieau), cinematography (Greig Fraser), costume design (Jacqueline West), movie modifying (Joe Walker), unique rating (Hans Zimmer), make-up and hairstyling, sound and visible results (all eligible nominees to be decided).

With a single directing nomination underneath his belt for “Arrival,” Villeneuve’s aspirations for “Dune 2” are usually not nearly private accolades, however about difficult the Academy’s historic reluctance to embrace style movies absolutely, particularly ones that open within the first quarter of the yr. The anticipation for the tentatively-titled finale “Dune: Messiah,” though within the shadows of a really early pre-production, provides one other layer of pleasure and hypothesis concerning the saga’s future.

“Dune’s” preliminary run set a benchmark, being nominated throughout all seven technical classes — one in every of six films to realize this feat. As “Dune: Half Two” opens for normal audiences, subsequent yr’s Oscars must also maintain an area free for the visible spectacle among the many 10 finest image nominees.

Nonetheless, there’s at all times the worry of what an upcoming third film can do to a movie’s awards prospects, basically giving business voters permission “to attend for the third” to award the franchise. This mindset was an element that led to the underperformance of Peter Jackson’s second characteristic “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (2002), which got here one yr after “The Fellowship of the Ring” garnered essentially the most noms with 13, successful 4. The epic finale “The Return of the King” went on to comb the Academy Awards the following yr, tying the all-time document for many wins for a movie with 11.

The movie’s climactic scene teases what’s to come back, but additionally includes a second the place the viewers gazes upon a stellar lineup of younger Hollywood royalty — Chalamet, Zendaya, Butler and Pugh — every bringing their distinctive abilities to the lore. This second isn’t simply concerning the convergence of stars however a harbinger of the business’s vibrant future. Like social media’s obsession with following the solid of Tate Taylor’s 2011 drama “The Assist,” whose members have gone on to win 5 Oscars to date, I’d think about comparable debates to happen about which of the 4 will go on to garner an Oscar first (not for this movie), and who can have essentially the most nominations by their profession’s finish. Chalamet (“Name Me by Your Title”), Butler (“Elvis”) and Pugh (“Little Ladies”) all have Oscar noms already, whereas Zendaya nonetheless awaits hers whereas holding her two Emmys for lead drama actress for “Euphoria.”

In Oscar historical past, solely two separate trilogies have seen all their entries obtain finest image nominations—”The Godfather” and “The Lord of the Rings.” As “Dune 2” makes an attempt to step into this area, it carries the hopes of a whole style seeking to declare a rightful place within the highlight.

The 2025 Oscars are a yr from now, although nonetheless undated. To launch a movie within the first quarter of the calendar yr, mount a full scale awards marketing campaign and stay within the dialogue could be a troublesome path to maintain. The Warner Bros’ awards group can look to success tales corresponding to finest image winner “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991) and superhero flick “Black Panther” (2015), each launched in February. However with each new film that’s launched or premieres at a movie competition from now till the top of the yr, that’s newly minted buzz it’ll want to beat.

A lingering query has lingered since seeing “Dune 2.” If the movie had held its unique Oct. 20, 2023 launch date, would it not have been nominated for the upcoming 96th Oscars the place Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” is poised to dominate? Whereas we’ll by no means know for positive, I’d have guess on it as a winner in manufacturing design and visible results, with a a lot lighter nom tally than its predecessor. Typically, ready could be a good factor.

Ultimately, Villeneuve’s “Dune” is a testomony to how distinctive he’s at storytelling. As we await the following installment, one factor is evident: The journey by means of the dunes is way from over, and its legacy is barely simply starting.

How ‘Dune: Half Two’ May Spice Up Subsequent 12 months’s Oscar Race for Image, Director and Extra