With the2025 Oscars nominationshaving been announce , it now seems that Denis Villeneuve will never get a Best Director nomination at theOscarsfor his groundbreaking ceremony work on the movies of the heroic sci - fiDunesaga . Villeneuve’sDuneandDune : Part Twohave been lauded by critics for their sprawling , complex rendering of the story found in Frank Herbert’sDunebook series . With lofty world - construction , detailed political sympathies , thought - provoking queries about leading , and powerhouse carrying into action from an all - star cast , Duneis a new dealership that should stand alongside some of the most successful sci - fi - fantasy stories of all metre .

The Academy , at least in part , seems to correspond . Both of Villeneuve’sDunemovies so far have secure Best Picture nominations , still a comparatively rare feat for the sci - fi genre , as well as major blockbusters , in gain to a good deal of other nominations each . However , Villeneuve has been perceptibly scatty from the Best Director category on both occasions , perhaps even more shocking the second clock time around given the 2d movie ’s increased praise and the comparison to the directors who were nominate . Sadly , afterDune ’s Best Director cut in 2025 , a continuation is n’t likely to rectify this .

Denis Villeneuve Is Unlikely To Get A Best Director Oscar Nomination For Dune 3

He Wasn’t Nominated For Dune 1 Or 2, So Why Would He Get Dune 3?

All critics and motion-picture fan will have their own belief on who is most deserving of the five coveted Best Director nomination each year , and there was doubtless strong competition in both 2021 and now in 2025 , but the fact remains that Villeneuve did n’t make the cut either time . Whether this be because of a lingering bias against smash hit , orDunenot being as bad asThe Lord of the Ringsonce was , Academy elector have n’t considered Villeneuve ’s management of the A - list mould , expansive on - location filming , grandiose narrative , or the unnumerable other details to appraise upto other nominees .

The Oscars 2025 Best Director race has some central Hollywood filmmakers in the mix . Here ’s who we foreshadow will be nominate and make headway the Academy Award .

Which is somewhat perplexing , given that bothDunemovies are considered Best Picture textile , which also talk to overall quality . However , this history strongly suggests that thing are n’t going to change when it comes to Villeneuve’sDune : Part Three . More than potential , the third modernDunefilm will demonstrate the same graduated table and tone in all its technical aspects and will earn a few nominations in other class , but there will again be firm contender from returning Oscar - nominate directors and likely newcomers , and Villeneuve ’s vogue of directing will still be viewed the same elbow room it is now .

Oscars 2025 Best Director Nominees - Emilia Perez, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Anora, and The Substance-1

Dune 3 Could Be Too Strange For The Academy To Recognize

Messiah Will Be Especially Challenging For Filmmakers & Audiences

Duneis already not the sluttish sci - fi story to sympathize . The twoDunemovies so far are an adaptation of Frank Herbert ’s first book , with the third movie specify to accommodate the sequel novel , Dune Messiah . The old movie dispense with political intrigue that span generations , the somewhat abstractionist power of Paul and a few of his folk members , and heavy philosophical and moral disputation . All of this will only get more complicated , in add-on to some wild sci - fi conception that will make upweird moment inDune 3that audiences are not make for .

If the story has just become too foreign and too demanding to allow viewers to fully apprize it , it may demonstrate to be even more difficult for Villeneuve to secure a directing nomination .

After a 12 - year sentence jump , Paul has been ruling as emperor for some fourth dimension and is now plow with attempts to overthrow him . The story will see the practices of the Bene Tleilax , the raising of the dead , and Paul ’s nestling inheriting his clairvoyant abilities . This may be a lot for critics and interview alike to process . If the story has simply become too strange and too involve to allow witness to amply appreciate it , it may evidence to be even more hard for Villeneuve to secure a guide nomination — which he does deserve .

Matt Damon looking solemn

Denis Villeneuve Not Getting A Best Director Oscar Nomination For The Dune Movies Would Be Disappointing

Dune Is One Of The Great Modern Film Sagas & The Director Deserves Recognition

Overall , Villeneuve ’s work onDunelooks to , unluckily , be perish down in cinematic history as being underappreciated and on a regular basis snubbed . Many are inclined to liken it toLord of the Rings , as an epic sci - fi vis-a-vis to the landmark fantasy series . However , Peter Jackson was nominated for Best Director doubly forLord of the Rings , winning for the third instalment . Lord of the Ringsmay be consider more or less better thanDune , but the two are very similar in scope . Ultimately , no other fancy or sci - fi movie serial is regularly getting nominated for Oscars the way these two have .

If the zeitgeist considersLord of the Ringsto be Jackson ’s vision and masterpiece , thenDuneis the same for Villeneuve . He is creditworthy for seeing the full task come together , one which is almost universally regarded as a superb movie theater , and has taken immense time to make certain the unmanageable story is adapt correctly . With fantasy and sci - fi becoming more mutual in flick and television , Villeneuve ’s body of work might not seem as groundbreaking as Jackson ’s . TheOscarsmay have lose ken of the kind of work it take to direct something likeDune , which the next movie probably wo n’t change .

https://www.oscars.org/

Mary looks on with shock on her face as events unfold in Downton Abbey

Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides under hood in Dune: Part Two

Anya Taylor-Joy as Paul’s yet unborn sister Alia Atreides in Dune Part Two during her brief cameo in her brother’s prophecy

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