Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
Rights Acquisition & Early Development
Arthur P. Jacobs secures the Dune film rights through APJ in 1971, but passes away in 1973. Jean-Paul Gibon's French consortium subsequently purchases the rights and appoints Alejandro Jodorowsky as director.
Key Events
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APJ Secures Dune Rights — Jacobs' company options the Dune film rights in 1971.
Location: United States
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Jacobs Passes Away — Producer Jacobs dies in 1973, halting initial development.
Location: United States
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French Consortium Acquires Rights — Gibon's group purchases the rights from APJ in December 1974.
Location: Europe
Grand Vision & Creative Assembly
Jodorowsky and producer Michel Seydoux launch an ambitious pre-production phase. They recruit legendary musicians, visual artists, VFX experts, and A-list actors to realize an unprecedented cinematic scale.
Key Events
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French Consortium Acquires Rights — Gibon's group purchases the rights from APJ in December 1974.
Location: Europe
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Jodorowsky Appointed Director — Jodorowsky is officially set to direct the adaptation.
Location: Europe
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Seydoux Joins Production — French producer Michel Seydoux partners with Jodorowsky.
Location: Europe
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Musician Recruitment Begins — Jodorowsky approaches prog rock groups for the score.
Location: Europe
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Pink Floyd Selected for Score — The production settles on Pink Floyd and Magma for the soundtrack.
Location: Europe
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Visual Artists Hired — Renowned artists are contracted for set and character design.
Location: Europe
-
VFX Director Contracted — Dan O'Bannon is brought on to handle visual effects.
Location: Europe
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Star-Studded Cast Assembled — Major celebrities and actors are approached for roles.
Location: Europe
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Brontis Cast as Paul — Jodorowsky intends his 12-year-old son to play Paul Atreides.
Location: Europe
Author Inspection & Budget Reality
Frank Herbert visits Europe in 1976 to review the project. He discovers massive budget overruns and a 14-hour script, though he maintains an amicable relationship with Jodorowsky.
Key Events
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Brontis Cast as Paul — Jodorowsky intends his 12-year-old son to play Paul Atreides.
Location: Europe
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Herbert Inspects Pre-Production — Author Herbert visits Europe to review the 1976 development.
Location: Europe
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Budget Overrun Revealed — Herbert discovers $2 million spent of the $9.5 million budget.
Location: Europe
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Script Length Discussed — The script is noted to be the size of a phone book.
Location: Europe
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Amicable Creative Relationship — Despite creative liberties, Herbert and Jodorowsky remain friendly.
Location: Europe
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Funding Campaign Fails — Attempts to raise the remaining $5 million from investors fail.
Location: Europe
Financial Collapse & Project Halt
Despite two and a half years of development, the production fails to secure the remaining $5 million. Investor rejections force the project to stall completely.
Key Events
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Funding Campaign Fails — Attempts to raise the remaining $5 million from investors fail.
Location: Europe
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Project Financially Stalls — After two and a half years, the project halts due to lack of funds.
Location: Europe
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Rights Lapse — The film rights officially lapse in 1982.
Location: International
Legacy & Alternative Realizations
The rights lapse in 1982 and are later bought by Dino De Laurentiis, leading to David Lynch's 1984 film. The original storyboard books become highly valuable collectibles, and modern essays continue to analyze the project.
Key Events
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Rights Lapse — The film rights officially lapse in 1982.
Location: International
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De Laurentiis Buys Rights — Italian producer Dino De Laurentiis purchases the lapsed rights.
Location: Italy
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Lynch's Dune Released — David Lynch directs and releases the alternative Dune film.
Location: United States
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Film-Book Auction Record — A rare storyboard book sells for a record 2.66 million euros.
Location: Paris
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Modern AI Art Essay Published — Pavich publishes a 2023 essay discussing AI art and the project.
Location: New York
