Denis Villeneuve, the director of films likeBlade Runner 2049,Prisoners,and the modern adaptations of Frank Herbert’sDune, has something to say to Quentin Tarantino after thePulp Fictiondirector revealed he has no interest in seeing his version ofDune. A few weeks ago,Villeneuve made it clear that he kindly disagreeswith Tarantino’s claim thatDuneis a remake. Now, Villeneuve insists thathe doesn’t care much about the remarks by theInglourious Basterdsdirector, and he feels nothing but respect for him.
While taking a break from writing the next chapter,Dune: Messiah,Villeneuve spoke to the L.A. Timesabout his influences, his ideal setting for writing, and what he would have done if filmmaking hadn’t worked out. The reporter asking him questions addressed Tarantino’s claims from a few weeks ago, in which theReservoir Dogsdirector said that he wasn’t interested in seeing modern remakes of films he had seen once before.Dunewas among his mentions, and while Villeneuve has already said that his films aren’t a remake of David Lynch’s version ofDune, he’s setting the record straight:
“First of all, I have to say the truth.I don’t care. I don’t say that in a way to offend. I respect Tarantino, and I agree that Hollywood has a nostalgia to remake movies and sequels.
I’m guilty. I did that withBlade Runner. ButDuneis different because it’s an adaptation and totally disconnected from what had been done before. That’s where I disagree.But it’s a free country. He can say what he wants. I admire him as an artist.”
Denis Villeneuve’s 10 Best Movies, According to Rotten Tomatoes
From Prisoners to Dune, Blade Runner 2049, and Arrival, Denis Villeneuve has consistently delivered some of the best films of the 21st century.
Villeneuve was also asked what his favorite Tarantino film was, and he quickly replied with the following: “Pulp Fiction. I saw that in a theater with a full audience when it came out, and still to this day, I remember the excitement of seeing that new voice coming out into the world.”
Villeneuve Is Also a Product of Those Who Influenced Him
During the same interview, Villeneuve also spoke of other Hollywood auteurs and how their work hasinfluenced his style of filmmaking. One peculiar movie that we didn’t expect was Scorsese’sThe Last Temptation of Christas a feature that he took as inspiration forDune:
“That exploration of doubt in the Christ figure deeply moves me, and the reconstruction of the time amazes me still. The production design and camerawork are stunning, and, yes, a big influence on theDunemovies. The color palette, the ambiences, the use of natural light. There’s something about the weight of the costumes and the dust that I remember vividly.
This idea of a figure who has been chosen against his own will, how this gift has become a burden, and that he has to choose if he will carry that burden, it’s a link to the story of Paul Atreides. And then the moment where he could abandon his fate, and come down from the cross, and go to Mary Magdalene and have a family, those ideas are provocative and beautiful. It’s one of my favorite Scorsese movies.”
The director also recalled Steven Spielberg’s presence on the set ofPrisoners, where the Hollywood legend openly asked Villeneuve about shots, a conversation that Director of Photography Roger Deakins was surely part of: “That was surreal to have the master asking me questions. He’s a tremendously generous artist. I feel Steven is at peace. He has nothing to prove. He is an accomplished artist but still has the desire and appetite. I still study his filmmaking. It’s always a master class in directing.”
