Dune 2 To Release In Exclusive IMAX Format Popularized By Oppenheimer

Dune: Part Two will play in IMAX 70mm, an exclusive format recently popularized by Oppenheimer. As the second half of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi novel, the film continues following Paul Atreides with the Fremen as he wages a war of retribution against House Harkonnen. The Dune: Part Two cast includes the returns of Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, and Javier Bardem, with Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, and Christopher Walken joining the ensemble.

According to Collider, Dune: Part Two will be released in IMAX 70mm, an extremely exclusive but immersive format popularized by Oppenheimer this past summer. Similar to Nolan’s blockbuster biopic, the sci-fi sequel will play in IMAX for two to three weeks and possibly be extended based on its popularity. The news comes not long after the Dune: Part Two release date was moved up to March 1, 2024.

Will Dune 2 Match Oppenheimer’s Success In 70mm IMAX?

According to Nolan, the best possible way to experience Oppenheimer, or any movie for that matter, is 70mm IMAX, which boasts the biggest, brightest, and clearest image possible at 10 times the resolution of standard digital projection formats. However, it’s also the rarest format as 70mm IMAX is only available in about 30 theaters in the world. This resulted in the most diehard cinephiles traveling far and wide to experience Oppenheimer the way Nolan intended.

Related: Dune 2 Will Confirm Denis Villeneuve Has Replaced Christopher Nolan In 1 Major Way

Oppenheimer was so popular in 70mm IMAX that its run was extended a total of three times and will end with about $20 million grossed from just those 30 screens alone. Whether Dune: Part Two can achieve this same level of unprecedented excitement with its own IMAX 70mm print remains to be seen. Like Nolan, Villeneuve has established himself as one of the premier filmmakers working today and is also a staunch advocate for the IMAX experience.

However, one major difference is Nolan actually shot Oppenheimer on film, while Villeneuve shot Dune: Part Two digitally, and it will be converted to the IMAX 70mm format. This is a technical specification that might not matter to the majority of moviegoers, though it likely will for the film buffs considering making the trek to see Dune: Part Two in 70mm IMAX. Nevertheless, Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic will play in the highest-quality format ever devised, which it so richly deserves.

Source: Collider