Four years after getting the green light, HBO's Dune: The Sisterhood series focusing on the mysterious Bene Gesserit has announced the exit of both its director Johan Renck and one of its leads, Shirley Henderson.

Creator, co-showrunner and writer of the pilot Diane Ademu-John is also departing. Alison Schapker is now showrunning solo.

HBO's statement:

As Dune: The Sisterhood (wt) has entered a pre-scheduled hiatus, there are some creative changes being made to the production in an effort to create the best series possible and stay true to the source material. Johan Renck has completed his work on the series and a new director will be brought on; through mutual agreement, Johan is moving on to pursue other projects. Additionally, Shirley Henderson will be exiting the series and will no longer be playing Tula Harkonnen.

At least on the television side of the equation, HBO seemingly understand the damage that a poor title can do to a brand.

Four years ago they famously binned a Game of Thrones prequel series after deciding it just didn't work and might never.

Instead moving forward with House of the Dragon, which turned out to be quite decent.

Obviously they're still keen on this founding of the Bene Gesserit concept and it will move forward but Deadline suggest that the helm changes could result in a seven month delay.

Which might have a snowball effect and result in more cast changes for actors who won't be available.

Could be several years before we see this one.

Departing director Johan Renck does have another sci-fi title headed our way though - Netflix's Adam Sandler sci-fi film Spaceman which is expected this year.

One curious claim in Deadline's article is that Renck's departure as Dune director is due in part to his departure from the look of the 2021 film.

Seems really obvious that you wouldn't want to do that, assuming your budget could bear it.

Also that if going with a different look that this would require the approval of HBO execs.

[ Main Image: Dune. Credit: Warner Bros. via IMDb.com. ]

References

Cordero, R. & Andreeva, N. (February 28, 2023). ‘Dune: The Sisterhood’: Director Johan Renck & Star Shirley Henderson Exit HBO Max Series Amid Creative Overhaul & Production Hiatus. Deadline.

Wikipedia. Johan Renck. (viewed March 2, 2023)