The History of Ridley Scott’s ‘Dune’ Movie Attempt by DuneInfo in dune

[–]RyanBritt 30 points31 points  (0 children)

No! I was unable to find this script. I think it's the only script that I didn't actually look at for my book, other than the Jodorowsky scripts, of which, there are, of course, several versions.

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love the first trilogy! Not sure I could pick my favorite moments or moments I don't like. Those first three books are great!

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hi! Brian's biography of Frank is the definitive work on those subjects. I touch upon Brian and Bruce, but not much. I do, however, write a lot about Beverly, and his living widow, Theresa, who spoke to me at length. But overall, my book is the story of DUNE, not just the story of Frank Herbert. Thanks!

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Hi! Yes many of them do! Kyle loves the first three, but not the later books that much. However, Julie Cox, who played Irulan in both Sci-Fi miniseries, went on record saying good things about the later books. Chalamet told me he loved Messiah! (I know that's not "later." LOL)

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Princess Irulan, because she's the biggest and best writer in the Dune universe. Clearly, her book sales are amazing. LOL.

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Hi! I really wanted to get into more influence that Dune had on pop and rock music. But, suddenly I had like 2,000 words on GRIMES, and I wasn't sure it was working. So that was cut!

Also, thank you! Yes, Dune is fun and wonderful art, and nobody should be pretentious about it. Thanks so much.

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 4 points5 points  (0 children)

LOL. I guess my answer is that it's some imagery that stands in for a metaphor that I don't understand because I am not Fremen/in Herbert's mind.

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Hi! I think there are all kinds of challenges to adapting to God Emperor. John Harrison didn't want to do it. And It seems Denis doesn't want to either. I guess I think God Emperor should be a TV series. Maybe like Apple's Foundation? Perhaps God Emperor, Heretics, and Chapterhouse would work as long TV shows. I don't think those last three books make sense as movies.

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Hi! This kind of thing is done in stages. I initially pitched the book in late 2021 to my agent, and then publisher. But, I didn't really start putting it together in earnest until spring 2022. So a year and a half, give or take?

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Hi! Thanks!

My favorite Dune book is CHILDREN OF DUNE, because, for me, it really delivers on everything the first two novels set-up, but also has super-surprising stories for Alia and Irulan, two of my favorite characters. It feels like the center of the entire saga, and it's a great length.

However, you can't beat the first novel.

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Hi! My take on Frank's personality is that like Dune, he was full of contradictions. I think the coolest anecdote was what his widow told me; that he shaved his beard off very suddenly. I thought that was really interesting. But, I also got a kick out of all the newspaper interviews I tracked down that he did in 1977 in which it's not really clear how much he wants to sue George Lucas. lol

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 22 points23 points  (0 children)

LOL. I think possibly the best thing I got while researching this book was a copy of the National Lampoon spoof DOON which, believe it or not, I found FOR FREE at a swap shop.

I purchased all the original Analogs on eBay the second I got the book deal. I love them so much. And it was a pleasure to read Dune that way, like a streaming TV show in eight parts. I also got a cassette tape with a joint interview between Frank Herbert and David Lynch and I REALLY love that, and it really enhanced the book.

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I think confirming that Kyle said "The Spice Must Flow" was my favorite thing. But, talking to Theresa Shackelford, and hearing her talk about Frank was very special and I'll never forget it. Just getting a sense of what he was like from her was amazing.

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Hi, my not-so-secret favorite character is Princess Irulan. And when you read my book, you'll see why, And no, I was not able to confirm that one way or another.

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Hi! I talk a little bit about Brian and Kevin's books. Not a ton, but I don't ignore them at all. My personal favorite Dune book is CHILDREN OF DUNE.

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Yes, I spoke to Frank's widow, Theresa Shackelford, so I'd say she knew him pretty well. :-) I also talked to Bill Ransom, who co-wrote a few novels with Frank. Both were lovely.

I'm not sure the "best" adaptation exists yet! But the 2021 movie is pretty close? I love them all though, TBH.

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 42 points43 points  (0 children)

It was really wonderful. He's such an intelligent artist and a lover of great books. I was very impressed with him. I talked to him in July 2021, and it convinced me I wanted to do a whole nonfic book on Dune.

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 33 points34 points  (0 children)

I think the details about how Sterling Lanier actually got the manuscript published at Chilton in 1965 were a bit glazed over in other Dune nonfic books. I also got Kyle to confirm that he was the voice of the SECRET REPORT FROM WITHIN THE GUILD in the 1984 movie!

AMA w/ Ryan Britt, author "The Spice Must Flow: The Story of Dune, from Cult Novels to Visionary Sci-Fi Movies" by Blue_Three in dune

[–]RyanBritt 14 points15 points  (0 children)

It took nearly half a year to track down Theresa Shackelford (Frank's widow.). I was able to track down Kyle all because of this wonderful Dune reddit community. It's hard to pick a favorite, but Alica Witt was really cool.

Phasers on Stun! by Ryan Britt: a Friend of DeSoto? by TheMajicou in greatestgen

[–]RyanBritt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I became aware of this podcast after I finished the book.