Denis Villeneuve Replaced by 'Chernobyl' Director for 'Dune' Spin-Off Series on HBO Max
The show is slated for 2023.
Original Dune director Denis Villeneuve will no longer be helming the film’s HBO Max spin-off series Dune: The Sisterhood. The Canadian filmmaker was originally set to direct the pilot episode of the prequel project, but due to his obligations with Dune: Part 2, he’s now had to step away. Replacing him will instead be Johan Renck, one of the directors behind the critically acclaimed HBO series Chernobyl. Having directed all five episodes of that show, he went on to win two Emmy Awards for his efforts. His other work includes Breaking Bad and Bloodline.
As for the spin-off itself, Dune: The Sisterhood is set 10,000 years before the events of the first Dune film and revolves around the founding of the Bene Gesserit, the mysterious group of women who influences the politics and balance of the franchise’s universe. Formed by a handful of Harkonnen Sisters, the Bene Gesserit plays a central role in Villeneuve’s films and Frank Herbert’s original novels.
Unfortunately, there’s no specific release date for the spin-off series yet, but it’s expected to hit HBO Max sometime in 2023.
Elsewhere in entertainment, Justin Lin has stepped down as director for Fast X.