Dune: Prophecy’s Emily Watson Sought Inspiration From Alec Guinness in Star Wars

As a long-time fan of Emily Watson’s versatile acting prowess, I am thrilled to see her stepping into the world of Dune: Prophecy. Her decision to draw inspiration from Alec Guinness and his iconic portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars is a brilliant move. Not only does it show her dedication to mastering her craft, but it also highlights her ability to learn from the best in the business.


Emily Watson, while preparing to portray Valya Harkonnen in “Dune: Prophecy“, drew inspiration from the performance of Alec Guinness as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars.

How did Star Wars inspire Emily Watson in Dune: Prophecy?

During an interview with Variety, Watson shared that she drew upon her background from the Royal Shakespeare Company to convey Valya’s lines and military orders effectively. This method, reminiscent of her classical training, brought to mind the legendary stage actor Guinness, known for his powerful line deliveries in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.

Watson remarked that Guinness spoke his dialogue in a manner reminiscent of Shakespeare, which gave him an impressive, subtle, yet powerful demeanor. This is how I approached my performance as well, for if one doesn’t deliver lines with great care, they can prove quite evasive.

In the movie “Dune: Prophecy,” Watson and Olivia Williams portray Valya and Tula Harkonnen, two sisters tasked with discovering the group known as the Bene Gesserit.

Prophecy” is a story set within the world of Dune, crafted by renowned author Frank Herbert. It takes place 10,000 years before Paul Atreides’ rise to power, focusing on two Harkonnen sisters who fight against forces that could potentially destroy humanity. Their struggles ultimately lead to the formation of the Bene Gesserit, a famous sect in Dune lore.

In this adaptation of Dune, the talented cast consists of Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Camilla Beeput, Jihae, Tabu, Charithra Chandran, Jessica Barden, Emma Canning, and Yerin Ha.

The show “Dune: Prophecy” draws inspiration from the book “Sisterhood of Dune,” written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Alison Schapker is in charge, serving both as executive producer and showrunner, while Diane Ademu-John co-developed the series and also serves as an executive producer. Other executive producers include Anna Foerster, Jordan Goldberg, Mark Tobey, John Cameron, Matthew King, Scott Z. Burns, Jon Spaihts, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, Brian Herbert, and Anderson, who acts as a co-producer.

Produced jointly by HBO and Legendary Television, “Dune: Prophecy” is an advance storyline television series that precedes the Dune films directed by Denis Villeneuve.

Dune: Prophecy premieres Sunday, November 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max.

https://player.evolveplatform.net

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2024-11-14 19:40