The Quebec director says he is “absolutely against the decision of the Academy” which prohibited the nomination of the soundtrack of the film adapted from the work of Frank Herbert, deemed too similar to that of the first part.
The race for the Oscars is underway and it is already raising the first concerns of Quebec director Denis Villeneuve. His film Dune: part two which recorded 4.1 million admissions in 2024 in France, was shunned during the Golden Globes ceremony on January 5 in Los Angeles. Zero is the number of statuettes won (or not) by the film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s second volume that day. And everything suggests that the Oscar harvest will not be much more flourishing.
Because Denis Villeneuve has already seen his chances of winning a statuette for “best film music” destroyed. Last October, Variety revealed that the soundtrack of Dune IIcomposed by the brilliant Hans Zimmer, was not eligible for the 97e Oscar ceremony which will take place in Hollywood on March 2. The reason? It takes up too many themes already heard in the first film of the saga. And the Oscar Academy’s criteria prohibit the selection of music from a film sequel that has used more than 20% of pre-existing themes, as well as those borrowed from other soundtracks in the franchise.
Denis Villeneuve disappointed
There will therefore be no “bis repetita” for the work of the composer of German origin, already awarded the Oscar in 2022 for “best original soundtrack” for the first part. Enough to revolt the Quebec director. « I am absolutely against the Academy’s decision to exclude Hans Zimmer, frankly, because I feel like his music is some of the best of the year »he told Slashfilm during a visit to New York last week for a screening of Dune : second part.
« I don’t use the word genius often, but Hans is one »
Denis Villeneuve
Before praising the talents of his composer friend: « I don’t use the word genius often, but Hans is one ». Denis Villeneuve finds it regrettable that this music, which he describes as « a continuation of the first part of Dune »is not selected. Because he visualizes his two productions as one « grand film » unique, « cut into two parts ». And, therefore, the soundtrack of Dune : second part was « really a continuation of the first part »supports the 57-year-old Quebecer.
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Worry about the Oscars
During the 82e Golden Globes ceremony, the music of Hans Zimmer for Dune II lost to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for the film Challengers. The zero point of January 5 will not be enough to reassure the Quebec director, also at the helm of Prisoners (2013) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017), as Hollywood experts predict a similar outcome at the Oscars, whose nominations will be announced on January 17. The American press still predicts a few nominations for him, notably in the more technical categories (best visual effects, photo direction, artistic direction), in which Dune 2 could stand out.
Trailer – Dune : second part (2024)
