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Ridley Scott's Lost Dune: Unveiling a 40-Year-Old Script

This week marks four decades since David Lynch's Dune premiered, a box office flop that later cultivated a dedicated cult following. Its stark contrast to Denis Villeneuve's recent adaptations has fueled renewed interest in Frank Herbert's epic novel. This article delves into a previously unknown chapter of Dune's cinematic history: Ridley Scott's abandoned version.

Thanks to T.D. Nguyen's discovery of a 133-page October 1980 draft within the Coleman Luck archives, we now have access to Rudy Wurlitzer's script, a top-down rewrite commissioned by Scott after Frank Herbert's unwieldy screenplay adaptation. This draft, clearly intended as part one of a two-part series, offers a fascinating glimpse into a drastically different interpretation of Herbert's work.

While reasons for Scott's departure are multifaceted—including personal tragedy, location disputes, budget overruns, and competing projects—a key factor, as revealed in the author's book A Masterpiece in Disarray – David Lynch's Dune, was the script's lack of universal acclaim. Was Wurlitzer's adaptation a cinematic failure, or simply too dark and politically charged for a mainstream audience? The script itself provides the answer.

A Reimagined Paul Atreides

Scott's Dune opens with a dream sequence depicting apocalyptic warfare, establishing Paul's destiny from the outset. The script, characterized by vivid imagery and propulsive storytelling, portrays a seven-year-old Paul, strikingly different from Timothée Chalamet's portrayal, undergoing a Bene Gesserit test. This version emphasizes Paul's "savage innocence" and assertive nature, a departure from Lynch's depiction. The script even includes a flash-forward showcasing Paul's transformation into a masterful swordsman by age 21.

A Shifting Power Dynamic

A pivotal plot point in Wurlitzer's script is the Emperor's death, a catalyst absent from the novel. This event triggers the gathering of the Great Houses and the subsequent bestowal of Arrakis upon Duke Leto Atreides. The Baron Harkonnen's attempts to negotiate spice production highlight the central conflict, echoing a famous line from Lynch's film: "He who controls the spice controls the universe."

The Guild Navigator and Arrakis Unveiled

The script introduces the Guild Navigator, a spice-mutated creature visualized as a bizarre, humanoid figure, foreshadowing elements of Scott's later film, Prometheus. The Atreides' arrival on Arrakis reveals a medieval aesthetic, emphasizing swords, feudal customs, and stark class disparity, drawing inspiration from films like The Battle of Algiers. The ecological impact of spice mining is also prominently featured.

Intense Action and Graphic Violence

Wurlitzer's script includes a bar fight scene, a departure from the source material, showcasing Paul's early prowess. The Harkonnen attack on the Atreides fortress features a unique, bat-like Hunter-Seeker, echoing Jodorowsky's conceptual designs. The ensuing violence is graphic and unflinching, a significant departure from the previous adaptations.

The Deep Desert and a Missing Element

Paul and Jessica's desert escape is depicted with intense detail, emphasizing the harsh environment and physical challenges. However, a notable omission is the mother-son incestuous relationship present in earlier drafts, a significant point of contention with Herbert and De Laurentiis. While this element is absent, the script retains moments of intense intimacy between Paul and Jessica.

The script culminates in a Water of Life ceremony, featuring a gender-bending Shaman and a giant sandworm, culminating in the Fremen's acceptance of Paul and Jessica. The final scene foreshadows Paul's upcoming trials and leadership.

A Bold, Yet Flawed Vision

Scott and Wurlitzer's Dune emphasizes the novel's ecological, political, and spiritual aspects, offering a unique perspective. However, its dark tone, graphic violence, and deviations from the source material likely contributed to its rejection. The script's focus on Paul's ruthless ambition and the complicity of other characters presents a more cynical view of the story.

Despite its ultimate failure to reach the screen, Scott's vision offers a valuable counterpoint to existing adaptations. Its ecological themes, political intrigue, and exploration of leadership remain strikingly relevant today, highlighting the enduring power of Herbert's work.