'Dune' Will Be Streaming On HBO Max Earlier Than Expected

At long last, “Dune” has arrived. Warner Bros.’ big-budget adaptation of the beloved Frank Herbert sci-fi novel is due for release this week, and audiences have multiple viewing options. There’s IMAX, of course, which is director Denis Villeneuve’s preferred method of seeing the film. There’s also the traditional theatrical option, which is a solid runner-up. But for those who decide to watch “Dune” on HBO Max, the film will be streaming earlier than many had anticipated.

“Dune” will be streaming on HBO Max on Oct. 21 starting at 6 pm ET as part of a “special preview.” That’s a full day earlier than the film’s official release date of Oct. 22, and coincides with early previews of the film that will be showing in theaters across the country on Thursday night.

However, “Dune” is only available to stream on HBO Max with the ad-free plan, and will only be streaming for 31 days from its theatrical release. So by late November, the only way to see “Dune” will be in theaters.

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“Dune” stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, the son of a Duke (played by Oscar Isaac), who accepts the role of stewarding a dangerous planet called Arrakis, where the Atreides family – which includes Paul’s mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) – runs into danger.

Stellan Skarsgård plays the villainous Vladimir Harkonnen, and the ensemble cast also includes Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban, Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, Javier Bardem as Stilgar, Charlotte Rampling as Gaius Helen Mohiam and Zendaya as Chani.

Villeneuve conceived of “Dune” in two parts, and this film only covers the first half of Herbert’s novel. If successful, “Dune Part Two” will move forward, with Villeneuve revealing that the screenplay is already being written and he hopes to be able to start production in 2022.

“Dune” was written by Jon Spaihts, Villeneuve and Eric Roth. The film’s production team includes cinematographer Greig Fraser, production designer Patrice Vermette and composer Hans Zimmer.