“Dune Part 2” is currently the focal point of discussions on social media, with audiences expressing great enthusiasm for Denis Villeneuve’s latest full-length film. This contrasts with the reception of its predecessor in 2021. There may be an opportunity now for viewers to reassess that earlier film, recognizing it as equally commendable without being superior or inferior to Part 2. However, my intention here is not to delve into that debate but rather to explore the similarities between the “Dune” and “Star Wars” sagas. Both franchises indeed share several notable parallels, which I will illustrate to show how George Lucas was significantly influenced by Frank Herbert’s work in shaping his universe. After this analysis, you’ll likely view Star Wars differently, I assure you.
Did George Lucas plagiarize Frank Herbert, particularly regarding Herbert’s seminal work “Dune”? Legal action was indeed initiated by Frank Herbert against George Lucas in the early 1980s on charges of plagiarism before the lawsuit was eventually dropped. Today, part of the enthusiasm around Dune can be attributed to the strong thematic similarities between the films and Star Wars. In fact, Denis Villeneuve, while working on his first Dune film in 2018, admitted that many major ideas in Star Wars were inspired by Dune. Furthermore, Christopher Nolan recently drew a parallel between “Dune Part 2” and “The Empire Strikes Back,” noting striking similarities in the trajectories of both sagas. Indeed, given the director’s acclaimed works such as “Inception,” “Interstellar,” and the recent “Oppenheimer,” his observations hold substantial weight. It is crucial to consider that Frank Herbert’s novel was published in 1965, twelve years before the release of the first Star Wars film in 1977. During this intervening decade, George Lucas drew inspiration from sources including “Flash Gordon,” films by Akira Kurosawa, historical facts about World War II, and naturally, Frank Herbert’s “Dune.”
TATOOINE vs ARRAKIS
One of the most apparent connections between “Star Wars” and “Dune” is their desert setting where the primary events occur. In the first “Star Wars,” we are introduced to Tatooine, Luke Skywalker’s home planet. Similarly, in “Dune,” the story unfolds on Arrakis, a desert world where inhabitants from various galaxies converge to obtain spice, a resource more precious than gold or even water. Interestingly, in an early draft of the original “Star Wars,” Princess Leia was not carrying the plans for the Death Star but a substance called Aura Spice. George Lucas later altered this element to distinguish his work from “Dune.”
LUKE SKYWALKER vs PAUL ATRÉIDES
We also identify several similarities between Star Wars and Dune in terms of character development, particularly with regard to the main protagonists: Luke Skywalker and Paul Atreides. Both characters originate from a foreign planet before settling on a desert world where they are raised—Tatooine for Luke and Arrakis for Paul. They are both regarded as chosen ones or messiahs expected to bring peace to their respective universes while opposing an all-powerful Empire. Additionally, Luke Skywalker and Paul Atreides possess significant powers that must be realized through training—one harnessing the Force, the other manipulating minds. However, there is more: Both Luke and Paul share a sister—Leia for Luke and Alia for Paul—and their names are somewhat similar, indicating that both have the ability to communicate telepathically with each other.
CRITICAL: The Antagonists
Another striking similarity between the two universes is the portrayal of villains. In both “Star Wars” and “Dune,” Luke Skywalker and Paul Atreides face a totalitarian regime ruled by an emperor. The Sith Emperor in “Star Wars” and the Padishah Emperor in “Dune” are driven by the same ambition: to maintain their power at any cost. Additionally, the empires they have established and the soldiers who follow them share similarities; the well-known Stormtroopers of Star Wars and the formidable Sardaukar soldiers of Dune both draw clear inspiration from the Nazi army. In each franchise, a significant revelation is made in the second episode or part of their respective trilogies: the main antagonist turns out to be related to the protagonist. Darth Vader is revealed to be Luke Skywalker’s father, while Baron Harkonnen is discovered to be Paul Atreides’ grandfather.
THE BEASTIARY
The bestiary is also quite similar, as in Dune, we are introduced to the imposing sandworms, whose gigantic mouths and sharp teeth pose a threat to everyone. In Star Wars, these famous worms are also present but remain motionless, still capable of swallowing everything whole. They are known as Sarlacc.
POLITICAL STAKES
Finally, one can also find parallels between Star Wars and Dune regarding their political themes and the roles of the Jedi Order and the Bene Gesserit. Both entities strive to preserve certain traditions and cultural heritage. The Bene Gesserit, an all-female organization, trains its members’ minds to achieve superhuman capabilities, similar to how the Jedi use the Force. Additionally, the Bene Gesserit utilize the Voice to influence people’s actions, a capability also possessed by Jedi Knights when commanding weak minds through the Force. Both groups are known for wearing hooded robes and long capes as well. Further examination might reveal additional commonalities, but it is clear that George Lucas drew inspiration from Frank Herbert’s work in shaping his Star Wars universe. Although no lawsuit for plagiarism occurred at the time, today we can acknowledge the influence of Dune on Star Wars, recognizing that without Dune, Star Wars would not exist.
