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When discussing iconic science fiction, “Dune” and “Star Wars” often come to mind as significant cultural milestones. Frank Herbert’s “Dune,” published in the 1960s, predates the “Star Wars” saga, which debuted in the 1970s under the direction of George Lucas. The similarities between the two have not gone unnoticed, with Herbert himself acknowledging the parallels.
20th Century Studios
Prior to the 1977 release of “Star Wars,” Herbert was queried about the resemblances between the film and his novel, particularly regarding any potential legal action. He remarked to The Daily News, “I will try hard not to sue. I have no idea what book of mine it fits, but I suspect it may be ‘Dune,’ since in that I had a Princess Alia and the movie has a Princess Leia. And I hear there is a sandworm caucus and hooded dwellers in the desert, just like in ‘Dune.'” Lucas, however, insisted that the only resemblance was the presence of a desert setting in “Star Wars.”
Before the release of “Star Wars” in 1977, Herbert was approached for comment about the film’s similarities to his book, and if there was room for a lawsuit. “I will try hard not to sue,” he told The Daily News. “I have no idea what book of mine it fits, but I suspect it may be ‘Dune’ since in that I had a Princess Alia and the movie has a Princess Leia. And I hear there is a sandworm caucus and hooded dwellers in the desert, just like in ‘Dune.’” Lucas claimed the only similarity between the properties is the presence of a desert in “Star Wars.”
The debate over whether George Lucas drew inspiration from “Dune” for “Star Wars” has persisted for decades, fueled by passionate fans. While it’s clear that Frank Herbert’s work influenced the galaxy far, far away, the extent of that influence remains a topic of discussion.
Cinematographer Greig Fraser, known for his work on “Rogue One,” “The Mandalorian,” “Dune,” and “Dune: Part Two,” addressed the challenge of working on both franchises in 2020. He spoke to Collider about his efforts to differentiate the visual style, particularly in desert scenes. “I mean, listen, ultimately, I’m positive George Lucas was inspired by ‘Dune’ when he made ‘Star Wars,'” Fraser noted. “I don’t know if that’s sacrilegious to talk about, but there are a lot of similarities in some areas, so you could tell he was definitely influenced by that. So I had to be careful doing both [‘Dune’ and ‘The Mandalorian’] and not to repeat myself.”
Cinematographer Greig Fraser acknowledged similarities between Star Wars and Dune
Warner Bros. Pictures
The question of whether “Star Wars” borrowed from “Dune” is ultimately left to the interpretation of fans. Regardless of the answer, it is widely accepted that both series have cemented their status as some of the greatest science fiction achievements of all time.
In 2020, cinematographer Greig Fraser — who worked on “Rogue One,” “The Mandalorian,” “Dune,” and “Dune: Part Two” — spoke about working on both franchises, as well as how he actively avoided repeating the same shots, especially when it came to the deserts. “I mean, listen, ultimately, I’m positive George Lucas was inspired by ‘Dune’ when he made ‘Star Wars,’” Fraser told Collider. “I don’t know if that’s sacrilegious to talk about, but there are a lot of similarities in some areas, so you could tell he was definitely influenced by that. So I had to be careful doing both [‘Dune’ and ‘The Mandalorian’] and not to repeat myself.”
So, did “Star Wars” copy “Dune”? That’s up to the fans to decide. Whether it did or not, though, everyone can agree they’re some of the best sci-fi movies of all time.
