This strategy proved to be a mistake, weakening his position and ultimately leading him into conflict with House Atreides. Shaddam IV himself proved to be a controversial ruler, instigating the Great Spice War against the other Great Houses after his work on creating a synthetic substitute for the spice and using his elite Sardaukar fighting force to nearly destroy Arrakis. However, it is during the reign of Padishah Emperor Shadam IV (played by actor José Ferrer in David Lynch's much-maligned 1984 adaptation) that the dramatic events of Dune eventually take place – marking this as an epochal era. To help provide some clarity, as well as set up the new movie, here is a timeline of key events from our present up until the year 10191, the time in which Dune takes place.Īlthough the 10,000 years between Shaddam IV's coronation and the foundation of the Space Guild are filled with incident (especially around the ongoing Atreides and Harkonnen feud), the imperium is mostly defined by relative peace and prosperity – especially compared to the bloodshed endured during the Butlerian Jihad. For instance, although technological advances play a significant part, the story also revolves around environmental changes and the transformation of Arrakis' ecology. Such is the richness of the Dune universe that it pays to have some understanding of the context in which it is set. Related: Dune Movie Glossary & Terminology Guide Thus begins a guerilla campaign against Arrakis' Harkonnen oppressors, as well as Paul's ascension to almost messianic status. Paul and his mother flee into the desert where they are adopted by the local Fremen people, who quickly realize that Paul Atreides is their foretold leader.

Only a handful survive the initial attack, including Duke Leto Atreides' son, Paul. Despite their assignment to Arrakis, the Atreides are soon betrayed by their bitter enemies, the bloodthirsty Harkonnens. Arrakis, also known as Dune, is a desert planet and the only known production center of the spice melange – a substance that not only grants heightened awareness but also facilitates interstellar travel.

The plot of the first novel in the Dune series, which forms the backbone of Villeneuve's latest venture, centers around the noble House Atreides and their journey to the planet Arrakis.

Dune the novel