WarnerBros have released the final Dune trailer.

Many sci-fi fans would already be familiar with the story from either books or earlier films so there's nothing surprising in it.

However there is an interesting quote attributed to Collider.com:

The next Star Wars, Lord of the Rings is here.

Earlier films in those franchises were great and big hits but later ones not so much. Was this intended as a favourable comparison?

We attempted to track down the full quote and found a tweet by Rafael Motamayor, Collider's weekend news editor.

DUNE feels like the pop culture event we were waiting for. The next Star Wars, the next Lord of the Rings or the next Game of Thrones. It's here. It's epic, but it is also just giddy FUN! Don't let anyone tell you this is "Star Wars for adults," as anyone can enjoy this story.

Clearly WarnerBros didn't want to trigger the social media hordes with any Game of Thrones reference. Despite being the most watched season and a great financial success by all measures, it still inspires vitriol from some quarters.

Anyway, yes the comparison did appear to be favourable. But was it wise?

Jackson's original trilogy films were very nearly perfect but The Hobbit trilogy was a hot mess.

What should have been a single film (like the book) was stretched far beyond breaking point to cash in on the success of earlier films. They were impressively boring. And also twisted viciously out of shape to tie into the PC Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor/War games.

And Star Wars. Another eventual hot mess.

Those comparisons may not inspire confidence among movie goers.

In the context of the content of this new trailer, perhaps the comparison was intended to be more along the lines of morality.

The trailer focuses on the nobility and honour of House Atreides, the Duke and Paul. That resonates with both other franchises.

Dune and Star Wars also share a strong mystical / spiritual element.

But Game of Thrones is probably the closest in tone. Political machinations are a major component of Dune's soul and story.

Rafael citing all three was probaly fair and as close one could get to describing Dune accurately in the confines of a single tweet.

References

Katz, Brandon (December 2, 2020). ‘Game of Thrones’ Was HBO’s Fiercest Hit. Here’s How It’s Done Without the Show. Observer.

Pascale, Anthony (August 21, 2006). CNBC: Trek Worth $4B…Paramount, Frakes, Spiner & Brooks talk Trek Bling. TrekMovie.com.

WarnerBros.com. Dune. WarnerBros. (viewed October 8, 2021) [Image source]

Warner Bros. Pictures (October 8, 2021). DUNE – FINAL TRAILER. YouTube.