Director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two from Legendary Entertainment was one of the most successful films of 2024, and it’s little wonder as to why. Villeneuve’s cinematic adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction epic was a master class of adapting massive creative worlds and knowing how to keep their spirit and wonder on the silver screen.
Back in 2022, Legendary Comics adapted Dune: Part One into graphic novel form with the brilliant creative team of writer Lilah Sturges, illustrator Drew Johnson, and colorist Zid. And just last year, Legendary Comics and Rocketship Entertainment launched a successful Kickstarter for preorder opportunities and backer rewards for the Dune: Part Two graphic novel adaptation. The graphic novel is set for release this fall. I spoke with Lilah Sturges about her involvement with the book, her collaboration with the creative team, the appeal of Dune for her, and how her creative relationship with the world of Dune has changed between writing the two volumes.
Editor’s note: This interview was conducted last year. Due to technical issues, we had trouble getting the interview to post. Now that has been resolved, we are publishing the interview in full, with minor changes to reflect the time that has past between now and the interview.
FreakSugar: Before we discuss the Dune graphic novels for Legendary, how did you become involved with working on the books?
Lilah Sturges: I was already writing a book with Legendary called The Science of Ghosts, which comes out this June, when my editor told me they were looking for someone to write the Dune adaptation. As soon as I heard the words come out of her mouth I basically shouted, “Me! It’s me! I’m the best person in the world to write this!” Dune has been my favorite book series since I was thirteen years old. I’ve been a mega-fan all of my life and re-read all of the novels every five years or so. It was a no-brainer for me, and I guess they were happy to have someone so invested working on the book!
FS: What are some of the creative muscles you get to flex when adapting films or novels to graphic novel form?
LS: The most important skill in doing an adaptation like this is knowing how to compress the story without messing up the pacing or making the story difficult to follow. It’s a balancing act—knowing how to give the big moments space to shine while carefully whisking minor plot points under the rug. Which is not to say it was easy—I spent most of my time working on the first book begging for more pages!
FS: The book is written and illustrated gorgeously. What has your collaboration with the creative team been like?
LS: [Illustrator] Drew [Johnson] and [colorist] Zid are absolute masters of their craft. My job is primarily just to tee them up and let them have at it. I know if I give them the space to do their jobs they will absolutely knock it out of the park, so again it’s all about creating space for the powerful moments and giving the art team room to shine.
FS: Has your creative relationship with the characters changed between the first and second adaptations? Are there any characters you feel like you have a better understanding of this go-around?
LS: This is a great question because there is a really fascinating tension between how Frank Herbert wrote the original novel and the brilliant script that Denis Villeneuve created. The biggest difference by far is how the narrative treats Chani, Paul’s love interest. In the book, she is more or less just that: a love interest. But in the film Dune Part 2 she’s given so much more agency! She really comes alive in a compelling way and she does things that I found genuinely surprising and refreshing. So a big part of doing the second book is coming to terms with this new, more independent vision of Chani as a character. Paul is also a bit murkier of a character this time around—how aware is he of the cataclysm that he’s bringing to a head? What drives him to accept the mantle of messiah-hood that is draped over his shoulders? And more centrally: is Paul Atreides a good person in a very bad situation… or is he not such a good person after all?
FS: What do you think is the appeal of Dune, for creators and readers and viewers? Why do we keep coming back to these tales?
LS: I don’t know what it is for others, but it’s a few things for me. One thing that has always stood out to me about Dune is how complete the world-building is, and how cleverly it all fits together. There are massive forces at work, all set in this delicate balance of power, and then this story comes along and pushes everything out of kilter. It’s fascinating to experience. I think it also lends itself to the creative imagination in that so much of the world of Dune is suggested and implied rather than stated outright. Herbert gives you just enough information to let your imagination absolutely run wild. And most importantly, Dune is talking about important things. It’s talking about the power of prophecy and the concept of a messiah. It’s talking about the environment and what we do as people to either protect or destroy it. It’s about colonialism and exploitation of natural resources. Big ideas! Frank Herbert took a huge swing with Dune and he knocked it out of the park.
FS: What are you reading right now?
LS: I read anything and everything. I have no filter and can get really easily hooked. I just recently worked my way through all of the Jack Reacher novels—they’re so fun and readable. Other than that I read a lot of science books (physics mostly), history, and true crime. Really the only books I don’t read are biographies—too much like real life.
FS: If you had one last pitch for the Dune: Part Two graphic novel, what would it be?
LS: I think my pitch would be: the same book I’m doing now but let it be 300 pages long because I really need those pages to tell the whole story!
The Kickstarter for the Dune: Part Two graphic novel is currently in production. It is scheduled to be released on September 30, 2025.
Legendary Comics proudly presents the official graphic novel adaptation of the sci-fi epic DUNE: PART TWO directed by Denis Villeneuve, based on the acclaimed novel by visionary author Frank Herbert. This stunningly illustrated adaptation offers readers a thrilling new way to experience the critically-acclaimed sequel.
Following the Dune: Part One graphic novel, Dune: Part Two will continue to explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.