Since it was published in 1965, Frank Herbert’s Dune has been described as an epic, an instant science fiction classic, and alarmingly, “unfilmable.” Herbert created a complex, galaxy-spanning socio-political system with an elaborate theological life, thousands of years of history, and entire worlds of cultural development which frame an adventure story populated with fully realized, deep characters.

The notoriously challenging project has been attempted several times, but it has remained the “third rail” of science fiction adaptations. The story drops us into a formed historical period already in progress. Dune is a project in which the costumes transcend character and become part of the world-building. It is both intricate and overt. We spoke with costume designers Jacqueline West and Robert Morgan about their work to bring one of science fiction’s greatest stories to life.

Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Richard McGuire, Here is the story not just of a location, but a particular view. Eras and generations appear, scene within scene, vignettes unfolding before a static camera. In her 12th collaboration with director Robert Zemeckis, Johanna Johnston tackles a story that has eight main threads interwoven across 500 years. Taking on the project was a foregone conclusion for Johnston. “I’ll do pretty much anything that Bob does because he’s a genius and breaks boundaries every time.”

26th Costume Designers Guild Awards Winners

26th Costume Designers Guild Awards Winners

Mussenden is a big believer in reading, not just looking at photographs. She also believes in using fellow costume designers as part of her team. “I never designed a Western before, so I had to start my research from scratch,” she reveals. “I began with the Civil War using Time-Life’s The Old West encyclopedia that I borrowed from my friend, costume designer Kimberly Adams. I hired costume designer Christine Cantella for three weeks to visit all the museums in Texas and take photos.” Additional research included combing through digital libraries.

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