Why is Dune: Part Two's score not eligible for the Oscars? Explained

Modified Nov 07, 2024 03:50 GMT

(Image via Youtube/Warner Bros. Pictures)

Dune: Part Two is a fantasy drama film based on the book series by Frank Herbert. It's a sequel to the 2021 film Dune: Part One directed by Denis Villeneuve, from a screenplay he wrote with Jon Spaihts.

Dune films are set on the desert planet Arrakis, where Indigenous people called Fremen are controlled and exploited by noble families for a valuable mineral, spice. The film follows the exile prince Paul Atredis, who unites with the Fremen and wages war against House Harkonnen.

Hans Zimmer, who won an Oscar for his score of Dune: Part One, might not get considered for its sequel by the Academy. The reason behind it is that the score might exceed the 20% limit of incorporating themes from a previous film, as the music includes elements from the first film.

The film stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken and Léa Seydoux in prominent roles.

Dune: Part Two score includes elements from Dune: Part One

Dune: Part Two is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed of 2024, and it's already being considered a big contender for the upcoming Oscars. The first film was nominated in ten categories, winning six, including one for Best Original Score for Hans Zimmer.

However, the Dune: Part Two score might not be eligible for the Oscars, as it incorporates the themes from the first film. The academy's limit for using pre-existing music in a film is 20%, but the film is speculated to exceed that.

Warner Bros. has officially submitted the score composition for Academy consideration and is hopeful that Zimmer will get a nomination for his work.

Director Denis Villeneuve said that Hanz Zimmer wrote a tremendous amount of music and that the film's score is new. He added that it's one of the most scores written by the maestro, and he would love for it to be at least considered by the Academy.

The voting for the Oscar shortlist will start on December 9, 2024, and, on December 17, fifteen shortlisted scores will be announced. Then, in the final list, five scores will be nominated for the 2025 Academy Awards.

What is Dune: Part Two about?

Dune is based on a novel series by Frank Herbert, which was published in the 60s. It tells the story of a distant future where noble families try to control the precious resources of different worlds. The film series primarily follows Paul Atredis, the prince of House Atredis, hunted by the House Harkonnen after his father's death.

Dune: Part Two tells the story of how Paul and his mother, Lady Jessica, ally with the Fremen, who believe in a prophecy that some day a messiah, Lisan al-Gaib will save them from evil. In the struggle for justice and freedom, Paul gains more skills, power and support to wage war against his enemies and eventually starts to believe that he's the prophecized messiah.