Dune: Prophecy Cast Reveal How Show’s Massive Sets Made Acting Easy

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As a die-hard fan of the Dune universe, I can hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming series, Dune: Prophecy. Having grown up reading Frank Herbert’s masterpiece and being captivated by Denis Villeneuve’s cinematic adaptations, the prospect of delving deeper into this richly imagined world is nothing short of a dream come true.

The upcoming TV series “Dune: Prophecy” is set to recreate the franchise on the small screen, with the cast assuring that the large-scale and majestic feel seen in Denis Villeneuve’s movies will be preserved. In a chat with Chris Killian from Comicbook.com, actors Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, and Chris Mason shared their experiences working on the elaborate imperial palace set, which they found crucial in helping them grasp their character’s mentalities. Strikingly, for a high-budget fantasy production, these actors were taken aback by the abundance of real sets they shot on.

In her own words, Boussnina portrays Princess Ynez, the inheritor of House Corrino and the Golden Lion Throne. When asked about the set, she expressed her awe by saying: “The experience was incredible! For instance, Princess Ynez’s bedroom is larger than my actual living space! It’s massive, and it felt like I was truly there. Everything from the throne room to the props is real, you can interact with them just as if they were part of the room. As an actor, this is a dream come true because I am actually immersed in the environment, rather than having to pretend.

Heouston also spoke about the palace and the throne room. He plays Constantine Corrino, the emperor’s illegitimate son grappling with his status. He said: “It’s super immersive, and just the scale of it, I think, helps you drop into this world and realize how big it is. When you fill that throne room up with all the other Great Houses, or for whatever ceremonies going on, you can really feel that energy and it’s kind of all directed towards the throne. And standing up there, you can just feel it, which helps.”

As I delve into the captivating world of Dune, I find myself donning the cloak of Swordmaster Keiran Atreides. Let me tell you, among the intricately crafted sets, none has left me more spellbound than the Spice Den for my character. It’s a sight that defies ordinary sci-fi aesthetics, yet it’s so finely detailed and subtly complex that it feels like an authentic refuge where Kieran unwinds, sheathing his sword, and allowing himself a moment of respite.

In creating Dune: Prophecy, they face a challenging task with set designs, props, and world-building. Despite being set 10,000 years before the narrative of Dune, it takes place 10,000 years after our present day. This means it must develop its unique culture and world while still resonating with fans who are familiar with the original story. The tale unfolds shortly after the Butlerian Jihad, a time when humanity triumphed over artificial intelligence and reclaimed their freedom.

The television series derives its storyline from a trio of precursor novels by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson titled “Great Schools of Dune.” These books delve into the origins of the Corrino empire, the establishment of key institutions such as the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, the Mentats, and the Guild Navigators within the universe of Dune. Nevertheless, it seems that the adaptation won’t be a faithful one – characters like Ynez, Constantine, and Keiran are not present in the novels, and their counterparts bear little resemblance to previously known characters even if they share similar roles.

The first installment of “Dune: Prophecy” will debut on Sunday, November 17th, on HBO and Max. You can also stream both “Dune” movies on these platforms right now. The “Dune” novels are currently available in printed, digital, and audiobook formats.

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2024-11-14 02:10