Dune: Paul’s Visions Were Inspired By Director’s Own Bad Drug Experience

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Dune director Denis Villeneuve explains that Paul’s visions were inspired by his own bad experience with drugs. Dune was released towards the end of 2021 and it experienced huge critical and commercial success; it was subsequently nominated in 10 categories at the 2022 Academy Awards. The film is an adaptation of the first half of Frank Herbert’s seminal sci-fi novel, and Dune: Part Two will conclude the story upon its release in 2023.

Dune follows the journey of the young Paul Atreides, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet, as his family relocates to the desert planet of Arrakis. Arrakis is the most valuable planet in the known galaxy, due to its singular ability to produce the coveted drug Melange, also known as Spice, which can be used to extend a person's life and awaken dormant areas of the human mind (while turning users’ eyes blue as a side-effect). Through a brutal attack, and with the assistance of the Emperor, the villainous House Harkonnen regains control over the planet and kills Paul’s father in the process. Along with his mother, Paul manages to escape into the planet’s desert and is exposed to the drug along the way, causing him to see prescient visions of many possible futures.

Related: Dune Story & World Explained: Characters, Spice & Sandworms

Now, Villeneuve has explained the inspiration he tapped into to direct scenes of Paul experiencing his visions. In a candid discussion hosted by the Directors Guild of America, the director shared that before photography on Dune had commenced, he had a bad drug experience thanks to a marijuana-infused cake made by his son. The cake gave the director “the worst bad trip of my life,” however, he still managed to turn the experience into a source of creative inspiration.