As you watch Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet) transform from a troubled young royal to a troubled young leader in Dune: Part Two, you may be reminded of another critically-adored film. As the film’s director, Denis Villeneuve, tells us, he had Akira on his mind.
In the new episode of Esquire Talks, the French-Canadian director reveals the 1988 animated classic, directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, was a key inspiration when adapting Frank Herbert’s 1965 epic. “When I was designing everything that was related to Paul’s transformation, when we see Paul goes from quiet, humble, open figure that wants to just find his way and try to survive becomes that dark messianic figure,” he says. “When I was directing it – the hair, the silhouettes, the way I was shooting him. It was not a conscious choice, and it reminded me of something, and suddenly it became obvious as I was storyboarding, ‘Okay I’m doing Akira.’”
Otomo’s much-loved film takes place among the biker gangs of the of Neo-Tokyo. “That brought joy to my heart because it’s a movie I absolutely adore,” Villeneuve continues, praising the film’s editing and framing. “There’s something about Japanese sensibility that always blew me away.”
There has been chatter about a live-action adaptation of Akira for decades now – at one point Taika Waititi was on board to direct – though it currently appears to be development hell. We don’t want to tempt fate, but could Villeneuve take over that mantle?
Watch the video to find out which other films inspired Dune: Part Two as well as the director’s comments about the potential Dune: Messiah adaptation.
Dune: Part Two is in cinemas from 1 March
Henry Wong is a senior culture writer at Esquire, working across digital and print. He covers film, television, books, and art for the magazine, and also writes profiles.
