IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond responded to the huge success of Dune: Part Two, noting that they were selling out seats due to its popularity. The film, directed by Denis Villeneuve, is based on the second half of Frank Herbert's Dune novel from 1965, focusing on Paul Atreides' journey as the Fremen's chosen leader. Dune: Part Two had an impressive opening weekend, raking in $82.5 million in the US and $182.5 million worldwide.
In an interview with CNBC, Gelfond mentioned that IMAX showings for Dune: Part Two are in high demand after its positive reception. He mentioned that some theaters have sold out IMAX screenings for the next three weeks. Gelfond commended the movie for its financial success and immersive viewing experience. Check out his full comments below:
We ran out of seats, which is why the attendance wasn't higher.
If you combine a stunning visual experience, a compelling story, and entrust it to a talented filmmaker with an IMAX camera, you can expect excellent outcomes.
Why Dune 2 Is Performing Well In Theaters
Collage of Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Dune: Part Two - Why Dune 2 Is Performing Well In Theaters
Custom Image by Debanjana Chowdhury
The new sci-fi film, Dune: Part Two, continues the story right after the events of the first movie released in 2021. It stays true to the themes and structure of Herbert's novel, providing a satisfying conclusion to the narrative introduced in the previous installment. Despite some alterations from the book, Dune: Part Two remains a complex tale centered around prophecy and vengeance.
The first movie was released in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected its performance as fewer people were going to theaters. Despite this, it managed to make $434.8 million on a $165 million budget, making it successful enough to have a planned sequel.
Now, with more time passed for a wider audience to watch the first movie and pandemic restrictions lifted, the newest installment is expected to surpass the success of the original. Dune: Part Two is already showing promising numbers, comparable to Oppenheimer's strong opening weekend performance, with the latter film earning $960.7 million by the end of its theatrical run.
It looks like Villeneuve's Dune 3, based on Herbert's sequel novel Dune Messiah, is likely to happen due to the success of the film. However, Villeneuve has mentioned that he wants to take his time with the movie, so it may be a while before we see the next installment. Despite this, Dune: Part Two has been a hit at the box office in 2024 and is expected to keep up its strong performance in the weeks ahead.
Editor's P/S:
The success of "Dune: Part Two" is a testament to the power of immersive filmmaking and the enduring appeal of Frank Herbert's classic novel. IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond's comments highlight the vital role that premium viewing experiences play in attracting audiences back to theaters. The film's impressive opening weekend numbers and continued demand for IMAX screenings demonstrate that audiences are eager for visually stunning and emotionally engaging cinematic experiences.
The strong performance of "Dune: Part Two" also bodes well for the future of the franchise and similar science fiction films. With Denis Villeneuve's masterful direction and the promise of a satisfying conclusion to the narrative, fans can eagerly anticipate the upcoming "Dune 3." The film's success suggests that audiences are craving complex and thought-provoking sci-fi stories that explore themes of prophecy, vengeance, and the human condition.
