Chernobyl director Johan Renck is set to direct the first two episodes of the HBO Max series Dune: The Sisterhood. Dune director Denis Villeneuve is producing and developing the series and he was originally supposed to direct the pilot episode, but he is going to keep his focus on the films in the franchise and the sequel that he’s currently developing.
The story is set 10,000 years before Paul Atreides even existed and it follows the Harkonnen Sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit.
The prequel series is “designed to co-exist” with the Dune films, and the story is told “through the eyes of a mysterious order of women known as the Bene Gesserit. Given extraordinary abilities by their mastery of the body and the mind, the Bene Gesserit expertly weave through the feudal politics and intrigue of The Imperium, pursuing plans of their own that will ultimately lead them to the enigmatic planet Arrakis, known to its inhabitants as Dune.”
John Spaihts, who co-wrote Dune’s script, also wrote The Sisterhood, and during a previous interview, he was asked about the series, and he said: “The Bene Gesserit have always been fascinating to me. Focusing a series around that powerful order of women seemed not only relevant and inspiring but a dynamic setting for the television series.”
Diane Ademu-John currently serves as its showrunner, and his credits include work on The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Originals, and The Vampire Diaries.
Renck is a talented director and I love what he did with Chornobyl. He’s currently finishing up his upcoming sci-fi feature film project Spaceman with Adam Sandler, Carey Mulligan and Paul Dano.
I’m a huge fan of what Villeneuve is doing with the Dune franchise and I’m excited to see this franchise continue to grow.
Source: Deadline