Denis Villeneuve's Dune opened with rave reviews and has now become a box office success. Much of the sci-fi epic's success stems from its technical achievements and the way cinematographer Greig Fraser is able to create something visually stunning. In an interview, the cinematographer opened up about his experiences working on the film and with Villeneuve.
Before Dune, Fraser had worked on many acclaimed projects and blockbusters, ranging from Zero Dark Thirty to Star Wars: Rogue One and Star Wars: The Mandalorian. However, Fraser felt working with Villeneuve on his dream project was another enormous feat to accomplish.
"You'd have to be an idiot. That's the thing," Fraser said to Collider after agreeing that a project the size of Dune with the cast and crew involved is something that happens once every so often and cannot be passed up. When asked what he did when he first got hired and how he began collaborating with Villeneuve, Fraser responded, "But I tell you, I can tell you that, that we talk about a lot of things. I sit there, and I listen to him talk for three hours. That's my first of job is to listen to him empty his brain. He's been obviously planning this movie since he was 14. He's been formulating a brief to a DP since he was 14. So I have to sit there and listen to him empty that well of idea that he has had since that time. It's absolutely fascinating..."
In terms of Dune's large-scale production, Fraser added that working with Villeneuve was always a seamless process. "Denis is always honest with his opinion, which is why I love working with the man. There's no contemplation of each other's ego," he said. Fraser would further add that working in real locations such as Jordan and Abu Dubai helped give Dune a sense of realism in such a large and otherworldly environment, an aspect that isn't all too present in many other blockbuster productions. "I love shooting in the desert. There's something magical about Jordan and Abu Dhabi," Fraser added.
Fraser's unique camera skills combined with Villeneuve's vision translated to something truly spectacular on the big screen so well that a Dune: Part Two was officially greenlit a week after and is to begin filming in July 2022. The sequel will cover the second half of Frank Herbert's acclaimed 1965 novel. While Fraser has not been confirmed to shoot the sequel, it's very likely that he will return to work with Villeneuve once again to create a memorable and thrilling conclusion. For now, though, fans can experience Dune's visuals in theatres in anticipation of the sequel's big October 20, 2023 release.
Dune follows the Atreides family accepting the stewardship of the dangerous desert planet Arrakis (also referred to as Dune), which contains the most valuable substance in the universe known as the "spice." But taking control of a planet with such value means greater conflict for the family to face.
Dune is currently playing in theatres.
Source: Collider