Steven Spielberg Calls ‘Dune 2’ Sandworm Surfing Scene ‘One Of The Greatest Things I’ve Ever Seen’

On February 12th, Steven Spielberg was seen making his grand entrance onto the red carpet of the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California for the 2024 Oscars Nominees Luncheon. He looked stylish and confident as he walked the carpet, leaving quite an impression on the guests and photographers alike. The Los Angeles Times even captured his memorable moment for all to see.

Well-known filmmaker Steven Spielberg is expressing his admiration for director Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two, particularly for the extraordinary desert scenes in the popular science fiction movie.

During an exchange between Spielberg and Villeneuve on the Director's Guild of America's Director's Cut podcast, Spielberg compared the desert scenes in Dune: Part Two, located on the sandy surroundings of Arrakis, to scenes seen on a body of water.

In this movie, which is set in a desert, there is a strong desire for water, despite the fact that the characters are adapted to the harsh living conditions. Director Steven Spielberg explained to Denis Villeneuve that the film focuses on the importance of water, even though the setting is dry and full of sand. The characters long for the sacred waters, which symbolize growth and renewal, and the blue water of life. To emphasize this theme, the director instructed the crew to film the desert in a way that makes it look like an ocean or a sea.

Spielberg was highly impressed with the desert sequences in Dune: Part Two, particularly the appearance of the sandworms which resembled mythical sea creatures. He declared the sandworm surfing scene to be one of the most remarkable things he has ever witnessed. Additionally, he lauded the filmmakers for their ability to transform the desert landscape into a fluid-like movement.

Spielberg's critique of the movie wasn't just about the thrilling moment when Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet) impresses the Fremen people of Arrakis by surfing on a sandworm.

On February 19, 2024, Denis Villeneuve was spotted at a photo session for "Dune" Part Two at Al Wathba Desert Resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The event was sponsored by Warner Bros. Pictures and captured by Cedric Ribeiro through his lens.

'Spielberg Adds Villeneuve To Top Film World Builders List'

Undoubtedly, Steven Spielberg has helmed numerous iconic science fiction movies like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. the Extraterrestrial. He also dabbled in the realm of fantasy adventure films, serving as the director for Jaws and the initial four entries in the Indiana Jones franchise.

During the DGA podcast, Spielberg showed humility by putting aside his impressive accomplishments and praising Dune: Part Two. He commended director Denis Villeneuve, saying that the movie was one of the most outstanding science-fiction films he has ever watched.

Spielberg was incredibly amazed by the filmmaker's knack for creating imaginary worlds. He has recognized the director, who has helmed notable movies such as Dune, Blade Runner 2049, and Arrival, as one of the most talented creators of fictional universes in the history of cinema.

Starting off by mentioning some of the all-time greats in the film industry including Georges Méliès, Walt Disney, Stanley Kubrick, George Lucas, and Ray Harryhausen, Spielberg then went on to acknowledge Federico Fellini, Tim Burton, and Wes Anderson as among the top filmmakers known for their world-building skills.

Spielberg spoke about how filmmakers such as Peter Jackson, James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, and Guillermo del Toro are experts in creating their own unique worlds. He then complimented Villeneuve, stating that he believes he is one of the newest members to join the small list of talented individuals who possess this skill.

Following a peculiar bit of advertising prior to its release, which featured a popcorn bucket modeled after a sandworm, Dune: Part Two had an impressive debut, earning a whopping $82.5 million at the box office within its first weekend from March 1-3. As of now, the movie has amassed a notable total of $235.2 million in the domestic box office and $342.2 million in international theaters, ultimately resulting in a global total of $577.4 million.