Actor Josh Brolin has made a bold statement about Dune: Part Two, directed by Denis Villeneuve. Brolin, who played Gurney Halleck in the sci-fi saga, says he will retire from acting if Villeneuve doesn’t get an Oscar nomination for best director.
“If they don’t get nominated this year, I’ll quit acting,” Brolin told Variety. He praised Villeneuve’s work in the sequel, calling it “excellent” and describing the experience of watching it as “mind-shattering.” He added, “Dennis is one of our master filmmakers. If the Academy Awards mean anything, they will recognize that.
The first Dune film, released in 2021, was a critical and commercial success. It earned 10 Oscar nominations and won six awards, including Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Visual Effects. Despite this, Villeneuve was notably excluded from the Best Director category.
Brolin strongly believes that Villeneuve’s work on Dune: Part Two is better than the first film and deserves recognition. The sequel continues the story of Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, and is expected to be a major contender at the upcoming Oscars.
Meanwhile, Villeneuve is already planning a third installment of the franchise. In an interview, he revealed that Dune 3 will be set 12 years after the events of Part Two. Villeneuve said, “It’s a new movie with new circumstances, even though it’s the same world.”
In addition to the films, the Dune universe is expanding with a prequel series, Dune: Prophecy. The show, now streaming on Max, explores the origins of the Bene Gesserit, a powerful group in the story’s universe.
As fans anxiously await the release of Dune: Part Two and the Academy’s decisions, Brolin’s emotional comments have further heightened the anticipation. The film will be released in 2024, leading to high expectations for Villeneuve’s long-awaited Best Director nomination.
Also read: Exclusive: Michelle Yeoh shares candid thoughts on Wicked’s singing part with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo: ‘Please don’t complain’
