Space Opera E10: Jodorowsky's Dune (2013) & David Lynch's Dune (1984)

In this special episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, James and Matt take you deep into the sands of Arrakis — and into two radically different visions of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic Dune. One was never made. The other was almost unwatchable. Both helped shape the future of science fiction cinema.

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Episode Recap: Two Visions of Dune — One Legendary, One Real

Before Denis Villeneuve’s acclaimed adaptation, two filmmakers dared to dream of turning Dune into a movie. In the 1970s, cult surrealist Alejandro Jodorowsky assembled a jaw-dropping creative team to make an unfilmable 14-hour psychedelic epic. It was never made — but its shadow looms large over modern sci-fi. A decade later, David Lynch brought Dune to the big screen in 1984. With Kyle MacLachlan, Sting, and some truly bizarre dream sequences, the result was messy, haunting, and unforgettable. But was it a misunderstood masterpiece — or a cinematic sand trap?

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

🌀 Why Jodorowsky’s unmade film may be the most influential sci-fi movie never made

🎨 How Moebius, Giger, and Pink Floyd were enlisted to reshape sci-fi aesthetics

👁️ David Lynch’s Dune: dreamlike genius or studio-compromised disaster?

🎭 The strange casting choices — from Orson Welles and Dalí to Sting and Lynch’s own son

🧠 Matt’s deep dive into the Dune mythos, spice, space travel, and the weird lore behind the Guild Navigators

📖 How both versions reflect the challenges of adapting Dune’s dense, philosophical source material

Lynch vs Jodorowsky: A Tale of Two Doomed Dunes

Jodorowsky never read the book before signing on. He wanted to make something “sacred.” His storyboard book (with thousands of drawings) was passed around Hollywood and quietly inspired Alien, Blade Runner, and more.

Lynch’s version was slashed by the studio and saddled with clunky voiceovers and a rushed runtime. But his visual flair - including the grotesque Guild Navigator and dream sequences - offer flashes of true Lynchian brilliance.

Bonus Facts & Easter Eggs

• Jodorowsky's unmade Dune inspired The Incal, a legendary sci-fi comic created with artist Moebius.

• Only two known copies of his full Dune storyboard book survive - one was sold at auction to crypto investors who mistakenly thought it gave them the film rights.

• David Lynch turned down Return of the Jedi to make Dune - and has since disowned the film.

• The 1984 film features a cat strapped to a rat in a life-support system. Yep.