Oscar winner Christopher Nolan has shared his reaction to Denis Villeneuve’s most recent movie Dune: Part Two, praising the sequel for its unique visuals and immersiveness. During its theatrical run, the Timothée Chalamet-led sequel earned a worldwide gross of over $710 million at the box office, making it one of the highest-grossing movies of 2024. It currently holds a Certified Fresh rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is a bit higher than its predecessor.

“The film will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family,” reads the synopsis. “Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”

What did Christopher Nolan say about Dune: Part Two?

During a recent DGA panel (via Deadline), Nolan called Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two “a miraculous job of adaptation,” revealing that the epic action sequel actually reminded him of his favorite Star Wars movie.

“Taking the second half and making an incredible conclusion to the story. What a remarkable piece of work,” Nolan said. “If, to me, Dune was like Star Wars, then Dune 2 is The Empire Strikes Back, which is my favorite Star Wars film. I think it’s just a great expansion of all that was introduced in the first one.”

He continued, “What I was really struck by is the sense of immersion in that world. It’s a film that has so many unique images, so many things you’ve never seen before in this movie, time after time, and I was so struck by the detail of everything.”

Based on Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel, Dune: Part Two was directed by Denis Villeneuve from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jon Spaihts. The ensemble cast was also led by Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Christopher Walken, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Léa Seydoux, and Anya Taylor-Joy. It was produced by Villeneuve, Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Patrick McCormick, and Tanya Lapointe, with Joshua Grode, Spaihts, Thomas Tull, Herbert W. Gains, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, Richard P. Rubinstein, and John Harrison serving as executive producers.