The worlds of Dune and Star Wars are often taken to be in the same universe. After all, not only do they both involve the elements of science fiction and fantasy but also seem to share common themes in their world-building. If you’ve recently watched Dune at the cinema, one question might be nagging in your mind: Are Star Wars and Dune in the same universe?
To put it simply, no. While they have many similarities, Dune and Star Wars are in two different universes. So, though you may see Oscar Isaac on-screen in both films, don’t get confused – he plays a different character in each!
Curious to know more about these worlds? Well, read on to find out!
Which Came First: Dune or Star Wars?
To answer your question, it was Dune! Its book was released in 1965, while the first film of Star Wars, A New Hope, followed suit 12 years later in 1977. Fast forward to 2022, and both franchises have grown exponentially – we even have Zendaya (the GOAT) starring in Dune!
Their Influences on One Another
Since they both have desert planets, chosen ones, and mind control tricks – one can easily say that George Lucas was inspired by the works of Herbert.
When talking about these influences, Villeneuve said the following in an interview with Empire Magazine: “It was a…long process to find this identity in a world with the giant elephant of Star Wars in the room. George Lucas was inspired by Dune when he created Star Wars. Then as we were making a movie about Dune, we had to negotiate the influence of Star Wars. It’s full circle.”
Want to know more about how Dune continues to inspire Star Wars? Then check out the video below!
Which Is Better?
That depends on your personal preference. Though they’re similar in many aspects, at their heart, the stories of Dune and Star Wars are quite different. While the protagonist in Star Wars follows more of the traditional superhero journey, Paul in Dune has a bit more of a troublesome destiny – so, which story floats your boat?
We love the sandy dunes of Arrakis just as much as those of Tatooine – so we (unfortunately) can’t declare a winner here.
Will Dune Have a Sequel?
The Star Wars films concluded their story in 2019 with The Rise of Skywalker, but Dune fans might be wondering if Villeneuve has more in store for them. Well, don’t worry – he certainly does! Luckily, the next installment in the Dune franchise is said to release in October 2023.
Though a year is a long time, we’re sure the movie will be worth the wait!
Conclusion
As it is with all sci-fi films, we’ll often find ourselves comparing one with the other. While some enjoy the intrigue of Dune, others love the trope of heroism in Star Wars. Why not check Dune out in the theater and be the judge yourself. After all, there’s nothing more fun than immersing yourself in a fantasy realm!
