The usual grandeur of this year’s Comic-Con event seems to be taking a different trajectory, with Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG AFTRA) joining the writers on the picket lines. Comic-Con, widely known as the premier gathering for enthusiasts of comic books, film, and cosplay, will bear witness to a diluted roster of films and TV series. This unexpected change comes as industry titans like Netflix, Disney, Marvel Studio, and others choose to remain on the sidelines amid an ongoing writers’ strike. Adding to the gravity of the situation, the involvement of actors has led to an increasing number of panel cancellations.
Legendary, the production company behind the eagerly awaited Dune: Part 2, is among the latest to cancel its panel. The announcement was made by The Hollywood Reporter’s Borys Kit via Twitter:
Dune Part Two: What Fans Should Anticipate
After the original Dune film was met with both critical acclaim and box office success, there’s an evident buzz surrounding Denis Villeneuve’s take on Frank Herbert’s epic saga. The first trailer for the film has already sparked immense interest, revealing intriguing new cast members such as Austin Butler, Christopher Walken, and Florence Pugh. The sequel is set to spotlight Timothee Chalamet’s character, Paul Atreides, in his ascension to the role of the messiah.
Rebecca Ferguson, reprising her role as Paul’s mother Lady Jessica, had this to say during a recent interview,
“I’m smiling so much right now. It’s so fucking good. I get emotional talking about it because I love Denny [Villeneuve] and I love Greig [Fraser] and I love the team. But dude, number one is phenomenal and big and grandiose, and then you go close-ups and the imagery and the acting. Yeah, it’s all great. It’s fucking nothing compared to number two. Number two, it’s like a fucking gut punch. It’s unreal.”
However, the eager audience will have to display a bit more patience to learn additional details about the much-anticipated sequel. It’s an uncommon occurrence, yet not entirely surprising, when both actors and writers unite to protest for their rights. The significant issues at hand include fair wages, residuals, and the usage of artificial intelligence. The writers initiated their strike back in May, following the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) failing to reach a consensus on these matters. The strike has had a domino effect on several series and movies, although those with scripts approved prior to the strike continued production. With actors now joining the picket lines, production on various high-profile projects like Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning — Part 2, MCU’s Deadpool 3, and Netflix’s The Sandman has been temporarily shelved. As for when these projects will return to full gear, only time will tell. Nonetheless, these delays are sure to impact the release schedule of some fan-favorite endeavors.
Fans can look forward to the release of Dune 2 on November 3. Meanwhile, the movie’s thrilling trailer is available for viewing.
