Author: Adam Starkey

NME

While the opening months of 2024 have been relatively quiet in terms of blockbuster cinema, things have started to accelerate with Dune: Part Two.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the delayed sequel has been a monster hit at the box office, crossing the $200million mark globally within its first week.

• READ MORE: ‘Dune: Part Two’ review: sandworm-sized sequel should blow a hole in the box office

The competition is still wide open though for other films to ascend at the box office. Last year, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie was the highest-grossing movie internationally earning over $1.4billion.

What is the highest-grossing movie of the year?

At the time of writing (March 7), Dune: Part Two is the highest-grossing movie of 2024 after crossing the $200million mark at the worldwide box office (via BoxOfficeMojo).

This is followed by The Beekeeper starring Jason Statham and Bob Marley: One Love, which have both crossed the $150million mark internationally. Below this is the likes of Mean Girls, Argylle and Madame Web.

Plenty of movies yet to release in 2024, however, could take the crown from Dune: Part Two. Over the summer, we’re getting Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Bad Boys 4, Inside Out 2, A Quiet Place: Day One, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Despicable Me 4, just to name a few.

In a four-star review of Dune: Part Two, NME wrote: “Epic in scope and astonishing in its world building, Dune: Part Two combines jaw-dropping visuals with imaginative action and morally complex plotting to thrilling effect.”

The post What is the highest-grossing movie of 2024? appeared first on NME.

NME

Pyramid Game has been dubbed the new Squid Game in some circles, and it isn’t just because of its similar name.

Based on the South Korean webtoon of the same name, Pyramid Game is a psychological thriller survival series set in an all-girls high school where students are ranked based on their popularity – which leads to violence against the lower ranks.

• READ MORE: ‘Pyramid Game’ review: vile school violence makes for a brutal watch

The series is created by Lee Jae-gyun and stars Kim Ji-yeon, who is best known as a member of the South Korean girl group WJSN. Other cast members include Jang Da-ah, Ryu Da-in, Shin Seul-ki and Kang Na-eon.

Pyramid Game will have its European premiere at Series Mania in March, following its debut in Korea on TVING last month.

Why is Pyramid Game being dubbed the new Squid Game?

Along with the similarities in title, Pyramid Game and Squid Game are both Korean dramas which share similar survival themes – with the former set in the hierachy of a school, while the latter serves as commentary on capitalist society at large.

The huge success of Squid Game has also led to a chase to replicate its success, with the existence of Pyramid Game likely being a byproduct of its popularity.

The series has also received some positive early buzz. In a four-star review on NME, Pyramid Game is described as a “worthwhile thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat”.

“The K-drama makes it easy for viewers to invest themselves in its characters because of how varied and well-written each student is, even beyond our main leads,” the review reads.

“The show is also a scathing – although most definitely overly dramatised – reflection of the consequences of physical and psychological violence that takes place in supposed safe spaces, and what needs to be done to eradicate it once and for all.”

Where can I watch it?

Pyramid Game is available to stream on Viu and TVING in Korea. It is expected to premiere on Paramount+ worldwide later this year.

The post What is ‘Pyramid Game’ – and why is it being called the new ‘Squid Game’? appeared first on NME.

NME

Dune: Part Two has become one of the defining blockbusters of 2024, but not all the attention has been around the film itself.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the sequel picks up as Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) unites with the Fremen people on Arrakis to wage war against House Harkonnen.

• READ MORE: ‘Dune: Part Two’ review: sandworm-sized sequel should blow a hole in the box office

Along with Chalamet, the film stars Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Zendaya, Javier Bardem and Austin Butler.

Dune: Part Two managed to earn $200million at the worldwide box office within its first week, making it the highest-grossing film of the year so far.

Why has the Dune popcorn bucket gone viral?

@amctheatres

Sandworm collectable coming 2/29! #DuneMovie

♬ original sound – AMC Theatres – AMC Theatres

To celebrate the release of Dune: Part Two, US cinema chain AMC announced a special popcorn bucket based on the film’s sandworm creatures.

While cinemas often sell food merchandise connected with films, the design of the Dune bucket has especially caused a stir because of its resemblance to a sex toy. This is best summarised in a Saturday Night Live skit starring Ayo Edebiri, where a group of teenagers sing about losing their virginity to the plastic sandworm.

The bucket, which is actually quite impractical as a popcorn container due its freaky teeth, has also been a viral hit on TikTok and was even shown to the film’s cast on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

“Who made that?” a dismayed Florence Pugh asked on the show. “That’s not ok, that’s wrong.”

Where can you buy the Dune popcorn bucket?

If the Dune popcorn bucket is up your Arrakis, they can be bought at AMC cinemas for $24.99. At the time of writing, they are not currently available in the UK.

The post What is the ‘Dune: Part Two’ popcorn bucket and why is it going viral? appeared first on NME.

NME

Dune has been a sci-fi classic for decades but a whole new generation has discovered its influence thanks to director Denis Villeneuve.

Frank Herbert’s original 1965 novel has spawned an entire book series, several film and TV adaptations, along with various video games set in the world of Arrakis.

• READ MORE: ‘Dune: Part Two’ review: sandworm-sized sequel should blow a hole in the box office

Director Denis Villeneuve’s film duology based on the first book, however, marks the most successful adaptation yet. The 2021 film received a nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars, while Dune: Part Two hit $200million worldwide in its opening weekend.

The films star Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Zendaya and Javier Bardem.

How many Dune books are there in total?

There are technically 23 books in the entire Dune saga, but only six of these have been written by original author Frank Herbert. The main six novels are listed below.

• Dune (1965)
• Dune Messiah (1969)
• Children Of Dune (1976)
• God Emperor Of Dune (1981)
• Heretics Of Dune (1984)
• Chapterhouse: Dune (1985)

The remaining 17 novels have been written by Frank’s son Brian Herbert and science-fiction author Kevin J. Anderson following Frank Herbert’s death in 1986.

These range from prequel novels and two sequels, Hunters Of Dune and Sandworms Of Dune, which were partially based on notes discovered a decade after Frank’s death. You can check out a list of these novels below.

Prequels to Dune

• House Atreides (1999)
• House Harkonnen (2000)
• House Corrino (2001)
• The Butlerian Jihad (2002)
• The Machine Crusade (2003)
• The Battle Of Corrin (2004)
• Sisterhood Of Dune (2012)
• Mentats Of Dune (2014)
• Navigators Of Dune (2016)
• Dune: The Duke Of Caladan (2020)
• Dune: The Lady Of Caladan (2021)
• Dune: The Heir Of Caladan (2022)

Sequels to Dune

• Hunters Of Dune (2006)
• Sandworms Of Dune (2007)

Others

• Paul Of Dune (2008)
• The Winds Of Dune (2009)
• Princess Of Dune (2023)

There are also a number of short story collections, including The Road To Dune by Frank Herbert which was released in 1985.

The post How many Dune books are there? appeared first on NME.

NME

Set in a world where everyone has a superpower, Extraordinary takes comic book powers and drops them into a British sitcom.

Created by Emma Moran, the series follows 25-year-old Jen (Máiréad Tyers) who is the only person who doesn’t have a superpower. As she struggles to deal with the pressure of trying to discover her ability, she also has to navigate her complicated love life.

• READ MORE: Here’s every song on the ‘Extraordinary’ soundtrack

The sitcom also stars Sofia Oxenham as Jen’s best friend Carrie, Bilal Hasna as Carrie’s boyfriend Kash and Lukas Rollason as Jizzlord, a shapeshifter who was stuck as a cat for several years and has no memory of his previous life.

After the show debuted in January 2023, a second season premiered in March this year.

Has Extraordinary season 3 been announced?

At the time of writing (March 6), a third season has not been announced. The show was renewed for a second season prior to the first, so a third batch of episodes might depend on whether season two does well enough ratings wise.

While it’s unclear how well the series has done so far in terms of viewers, it has been well received by critics with a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Where can I watch Extraordinary?

Extraordinary is available to stream on Disney+ in the UK. For those in the US, the show can be streamed on Hulu.

A synopsis for the second season reads: “Season two picks up where season one spectacularly left off, following Jen on her journey as she enrolls as a client at the power clinic. Jen soon discovers that the process of finding her power isn’t as easy as she hoped, and things in the rest of her life aren’t smooth sailing either.

“Ex-cat, now-boyfriend Jizzlord has had an unexpected revelation about his past, and Kash and Carrie are attempting to be totally mature and dignified about their break-up, which is not easy when they’re still living under the same roof.”

The post Is ‘Extraordinary’ season three happening? appeared first on NME.

NME

Dune: Part Two adapts the second half of Frank Herbert’s original 1965 novel, but the film makes some key changes from the book.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, the sequel to 2021’s Dune picks up as Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) unites with the Fremen people on Arrakis to wage war against House Harkonnen.

• READ MORE: ‘Dune: Part Two’ review: sandworm-sized sequel should blow a hole in the box office

Along with Chalamet, Dune: Part Two stars Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård, Zendaya, Austin Butler and Florence Pugh.

What happens at the end of Dune: Part Two?

After being accepted as the Lisan al Gaib (an off-world prophet or messiah) of the Fremen, Paul Atreides leads them on an attack against Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken) and House Harkonnen. Through the Fremen’s faith in Paul, and by riding the sandworms, they manage to invade the capital city, Arrakeen.

To avenge his father’s death, Paul kills Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård). Paul then asserts that he is still the Duke of Arrakis and, with the control of the spice, he makes a challenge for the throne of the whole Imperium from Emperor Shaddam IV by proposing that he marry his daughter, Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh).

As Paul calls for a duel against Shaddam IV to settle the matter, the Baron’s heir Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler) agrees to fight in his place. After a close battle, Paul stabs and kills Feyd-Rautha, winning the fight, Arrakis and the throne.

On the request of Irulan, Paul spares Shaddam IV’s life but he asks him to kneel to show he accepts him as the new Emperor, which he does. Paul’s ascent to the throne, however, isn’t accepted by the other great houses, which leads him to declare war against them with the devout Fremen under his command.

Paul’s decision to marry Irulan and his unrelenting thirst for power, however, comes at the cost of his relationship with Chani (Zendaya). In the closing scenes, Chani is seen preparing to set off on a sandworm in the desert, unwilling to follow Paul as her people do.

Is Paul Atreides related to House Harkonnen?

Yes. In Dune: Part Two, we discover that Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, who Paul kills, is actually his grandfather. Paul’s mother Lady Jessica is the Baron’s daughter, a secret kept from her and the Baron by the Bene Gesserit, who conspired to mix the two family bloodlines.

Is the film’s ending different from the book?

While it’s mostly a faithful adaptation, there are some changes. The biggest difference is how Chani responds to Paul’s ascent. In the novel, Chani understands the political reasons behind Paul’s marriage to Irulan and agrees to be his concubine. Her departure in the film, however, suggests a potential sequel based on Dune Messiah might depict their relationship moving forward quite differently.

The other key change is who kills the Baron. While Paul kills him in Dune: Part Two, his younger sister Alia is the one who takes revenge in the books. Alia is not born yet in this film adaptation, and is only seen in Lady Jessica’s womb. In the closing scenes, we hear Alia’s voice for the first time, played by Anya Taylor-Joy.

The post ‘Dune: Part Two’ ending explained: is Paul Atreides a Harkonnen? appeared first on NME.