Film
10 Things That Dune and Star Wars Have in Common
There is a hell of a lot of Dune fans suddenly appearing out of the woodwork. Maybe they’re from the Star Wars fandom, perhaps? We’re not entirely sure, but one […]
SUPER HUGE SPOILERS AHEAD – if you haven’t seen Star Wars or read Dune, please do not read on.
- The main protagonist in each film is a young man with a great future ahead of him. While Luke Skywalker started off as a young farm boy on Tatooine, he went on to become one of the most celebrated Jedi’s of all time in the Star Wars universe. And as for Paul Atreides? Well, Paul “Muad’ dib” becomes the leader of House Atreides, the leader of the Freman and the Messiah the universe has been waiting for.
- The Skywalker family was plagued with loss including that of Anakin Skywalker, Luke’s father who fell to the dark side of the force and became one of the most powerful men in the Galaxy. In the process, Luke loses his hand in a fight to the death with his father, now Sith Lord Darth Vader. Paul Atreides also had his fair share of insurmountable odds to overcome. This includes a betrayal that almost wiped out the Atreides family and physical injuries much later on in the second book that leaves Paul completely blind.
- Both stories are set in Space and in worlds that have incredible world-building created by the original writers of these stories; George Lucas and Frank Herbert.
- The sense of family is an incredibly important theme in both universes.
- There is a political theme (albeit minor to the main plot) that works as an undercurrent throughout both Sagas. The Palpatine element in Star Wars versus Padme Amidala and the struggles for control between House Atreides and House Harkonnen
- Depending on your point of view, both stories could be flipped on their heads and the “good” guys could easily become the villains.
- In Star Wars, the Jedi and force users are feared by some and revered by others, just as the Bene Gesserit are in Dune.
- Both stories feature influential matriarchal figures; Leia in Star Wars and the Reverend Mother Mohiam in Dune.
- Both have been referred to as “space operas” which of course, they are
- Both worlds seem to fascinate readers and film fans from every generation and walk of life, and there’s no sign of that stopping anytime soon.
