MovieChat Forums > Dune (1984) Discussion > The lack of stars was the reason Dune '8...

The lack of stars was the reason Dune '84 flopped

posted 3 years ago by avigalidou (615)
18 replies | jump to latest

Back then and even today it's really hard to succeed without big stars.I think De Laurentis thought that if Star Wars can pull it off with (relatively)unknowns (minus Alec Guiness) he could do it too.
Anyway it was a huge movie,maybe he couldn't afford an all star cast ,but if I could cast this movie back then, I would cast some stars in key roles to give it a boost at the Box Office.

Sean Connery as Duke Leto
James Earl Jones as Mentat Thufir Hawat
Marlon Brando as the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen
Charlton Heston as Emperor Shaddam IV
Burt Lancaster as Gurney(he is 70+ in the book)
Charles Bronson as Stilgar

And MAYBE a young Tom Cruise as Paul (even though I love MacLachlan's portrayal)

[–] OldG (853) 3 years ago

I don't think so... those horrible effects were the reason... remember this came out after the first Star Wars trilogi and the first Alien movie...

Just imagine having seen those movies and then going to see Dune... I do not think I have laughed as much before as when they activate those shields for the first time... that has to be one of the worst effects ever seen on the big screen...

I do not think Connery, Brando or Heston's presence would have changed that the movie flopped... if the effects would have stayed the same...

[–] avigalidou (615) 3 years ago

Sand Worms were good though...but yeah most of the effects sucked and there weren't many action scenes with effects that was the problem.Anyway Lynch asked for old school effects that wouldn't resemble Star Trek and Star Wars and De Laurentis didn't spend much money on effects and it shows.I love the movie even with some shitty effects.And some star power would have given it a big push it would have broke even instead of flopping

[–] OldG (853) 3 years ago

True that the sand worms were good... and okay it might have broke even with Connery and Brando in it...

[–] stevewyzard (1733) 3 years ago

I remember seeing this at the theater, and hearing people in line say, "I'm here to see Sting!" Really!

[–] Seperatrix (1348) 3 years ago

Yes. Back then Sting was enough of an attraction and I remember a buzz, for some, as well.

[–] Leodicaprio (6426) 3 years ago

it has too many problems.
-the vfx
-the dialogue
-who is fighting who again? why? its a simple story overall when you figure out what the movie is saying is happening. and yet somehow you still dont know wtf is going on and who is fighting who

[–] Kingswood (1307) 3 years ago

Point #3 ...Seriously?

You're the first person I've heard that from.

Points #1 and #2 are valid.

[–] Leodicaprio (6426) 3 years ago

yes point 3 is serious. it being a convoluted mess is one of the most common criticisms of it. if you google "dune 1984 convoluted" or "dune 1984 confusing" its pretty common

[–] Kingswood (1307) 3 years ago

I've never read the books, but was able to follow the plot with no problem.

I believe the complaints came from those Dune-acolytes who just didn't like how it attempted to squeeze such a rich and intricate story into a 2 hour film.

For the common movie-goer, I don't think understanding the plot was a problem. It was the darker tone and seriousness that probably turned most of them off ...as they were more accustom to the Star Wars -esque style of story telling by that point. Just look at how Blade Runner got panned at the time for the same thing.

[–] Gd5150 (11948) 3 years ago

The movie was atrocious.

They had Sting. Nothing was going to save that turd.

[–] Leodicaprio (6426) 3 years ago

they could have had every big actor at the time. Lynch admitted he hated sci fi.... he kinds did his own thing and it was a mess. the VoiceOver was weird and horrible

[–] Who (5146) 3 years ago

Sting was a superstar whenthis came out.

[–] avigalidou (615) 3 years ago

Still not an actor it's quite different

[–] Pete314 (3298) 3 years ago

The problem was David Lynch. Although some think he is a good director he will always create niche products only.

[–] Kingswood (1307) 3 years ago

James Earl Jones as Mentat Thufir Hawat

Without JEJ voicing DV, Star Wars would not have been nearly as big a hit ...and that's a bonafide fact.

As for the rest of your cast, that would be overkill.

I like Connery as Leto.

Only other change I would've made is finding someone less cartoonish to play Harkonnen ...perhaps Richard Lynch could've pulled it off if he was willing and able to gain the weight.

[–] WilloughbyStain (195) a year ago

It couldn't have hurt, but if you look at the films that outgrossed this in 1984, there are several films with casts that were less well known to the public at the time (Gremlins in particular).