The Dune universe has many secretive groups, more than a typical spy story. There are many schemers, tricksters, and unpleasant groups in Frank Herbert’s book series.
One notable group is the Spacing Guild. While they appear briefly in Denis Villeneuve’s first movie, they have not played a significant role in the film adaptations yet.
However, their role will likely grow in Villeneuve’s third movie, especially as they become more important in the story after the first book.
In the first book, the Spacing Guild shows how vital and dangerous the desert planet Arrakis is to the galaxy.
Frank Herbert, the author, often included many ideas in his writing. He wrote about fanatical religion, environmental issues, and political corruption.
The Spacing Guild connects closely to the spice Melange, which is a key element in Herbert’s work. Spice is often compared to oil in the Dune universe. It significantly affects the economy of the entire empire, and without spice, society would fall apart.
The Spacing Guild uses spice to gain the ability to see the future. This ability helps them travel faster than light to other planets.
The Guild has trained navigators who are the only ones able to make such journeys. Because they have this unique skill, the Guild holds a strong monopoly on space travel.
This gives them considerable power since any opposition could destroy an entire planet’s economy. The Guild is essential for trade across the universe, and without them, civilization would collapse.
The Guild does not hold official power in the empire. Their leaders are not royalty, and they lack a strong military. Yet, their control over various aspects of life grants them more power than traditional forces.
This situation reflects how large oil companies in real life influence power, manufacturing, and many other services worldwide. These companies have often used their resources for control and influence. Herbert likely wrote the Spacing Guild as a critique of this behavior.
Still from the movie (Paramount Plus)
The Guild represents a massive corporation, similar to Weyland Yutani from the Alien franchise. It shows how uncontrolled economic power can satirize the short-sighted exploitation of resources in the real world.
With the confirmation of Dune 3 by Villeneuve, it will be fascinating to see how the Guild’s role expands.
By the end of Dune: Part 2, Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, has taken over Emperor Corrino’s position and started his holy war for power in the universe.
In the second book, Dune Messiah, the Spacing Guild must obey Paul’s commands once he has control of the spice.
After Paul’s holy war, there is a good chance that Villeneuve will show one of the most interesting storylines involving the Spacing Guild.
Unless Villeneuve significantly changes the story (which is unlikely because he respects the source material), Dune: Part Three will likely include a plot involving a conspiracy by the Bene Gesserit, the Spacing Guild, and other secretive groups to overthrow the Atreides empire.
Fans hope to see a terrifying design for the Guild Navigators. Navigators are genetically modified humans who resemble aliens more than people.
David Lynch’s 1984 Dune film had a memorable scene with a Guild navigator. If done correctly, the Guild’s appearance in Villeneuve’s third film will be just as unforgettable, providing a deeper understanding of the importance of spice in Herbert’s story.
Spice is such a valuable resource that people are transformed into monstrous beings just to use it.
The Spacing Guild also represents Herbert’s broader commentary on the dangers of monopolistic power and resource exploitation.
Their absolute control over space travel and trade puts them in a unique position of influence, despite lacking traditional authority. As the story progresses, their role will further expose the complex relationship between economics, politics, and human nature in Dune.
War has arrived in Eregion in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. In Season 2 Episode 7, titled “Doomed to Die,” the Elven city comes under heavy attack from Sauron (Charlie Vickers). The episode focuses on Eregion and avoids other storylines to highlight how important this moment is in the series.
The episode features exciting action scenes, but one moment stands out as a nightmare for the entire production crew. Director Charlotte Brandstrom and cinematographer Alex Disenhof discussed this challenging scene in an interview with Collider’s Carly Lane.
This moment shows Adar (Sam Hazeldine) and his Orcs making the river around Eregion go down. This allows them to attack the city on foot.
Brandstrom called the muddy battlefield a “nightmare.” Disenhof agreed but added that it was “visually, a godsend.” They faced many challenges with the muddy terrain.
Disenhof mentioned that they knew the mud would be an issue, but working in it was a “reality check” that slowed things down. He said they had an incredible crew that managed to keep a positive attitude.
Brandstrom shared her own difficulties with the mud, saying she got stuck in it. She explained, “I couldn’t get out of there. So they had to come and carry me out.”
This situation added realism to the scene, as she remarked, “It was very hard, not only for the actors to move around, but for the crew, for everybody.” The mud was deep, going above her knees at times, making it hard to walk. If someone stayed in one spot too long, they could get stuck.
Having a long lead time for filming helped Brandstrom and Disenhof plan better. Disenhof explained that they began planning months before shooting.
They decided where to put heavy equipment and buried steel decking underground to keep it stable. The construction crew then layered mud on top. They had to stick to the chosen areas because going off the path could lead to getting stuck in the mud.
Disenhof also explained how they needed to be creative with their equipment and cameras to film the complex scenes. They used a stabilized gimbal head on a steel bar that grips carried around. Two grips with big boots ran with the camera while an operator worked remotely from a dry spot.
Still from the show (Prime Video)
They also used TechnoCranes to extend the camera. They even did handheld work, although mobility was difficult due to the mud. It was a significant logistical challenge for the team. The first seven episodes of The Rings of Power Season 2 are now available to stream on Prime Video.
Director Charlotte Brandstrom and cinematographer Alex Disenhof had to deal with immense challenges when filming the scene where Adar (Sam Hazeldine) and his Orcs lower the river that surrounds Eregion. This change in the environment allows them to approach the city on foot.
While the resulting visuals were stunning, the muddy terrain created a “nightmare” for everyone involved in the production. Brandstrom herself had to be carried out when she got stuck in the mud.
To ensure the scene could be filmed effectively, the team planned months in advance, strategically burying steel decking to stabilize the ground. Special equipment like TechnoCranes and handheld cameras were used to capture the action, while grips with large boots ran through the mud to carry equipment.
The entire crew faced constant challenges from the terrain, but their dedication allowed them to pull off this visually arresting sequence. The action-packed episode brings to life the weight of the siege and the immense struggles faced by both the characters in the story and the production crew behind the scenes.
