Steven Spielberg’s Dune 2 Review Might Change Your Mind About Seeing It

Steven Spielberg’s high opinion of Villeneuve as a sci-fi creator goes beyond his admiration for his ability to create compelling characters and wow with visuals. The legendary director (whose accomplishments include sci-fi classics like «E.T.» and «Close Encounters of the Third Kind») puts his peer on an exclusive list of directors who are uniquely qualified to build worlds on screen.

«There are filmmakers who are the builders of worlds,» Spielberg explained. «It’s not a long list, and we know who a lot of them are. Starting with [Georges] Méliès and Disney and Kubrick, George Lucas. Ray Harryhausen I include in that list. Fellini built his own worlds. Tim Burton. Obviously, Wes Anderson, Peter Jackson, James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, Ridley Scott, Guillermo del Toro.» The director clarified that there are a lot of names that make the cut. However, he followed this up by saying, «It’s not that long of a list, and I deeply, fervently believe that you are one of its newest members.»

The accolade is well deserved. Many would argue that this isn’t even the first time Villeneuve earned the honor of world-builder extraordinaire. The man is also responsible for a slew of modern sci-fi movie classics, including «Arrival» and «Blade Runner 2049.» He’s also reportedly already lined up to adapt another epic sci-fi classic: Arthur C. Clarke’s «Rendezvous with Rama.» If a story has aliens or A.I. characters or takes place at some point in the future, you can bet Villeneuve can turn it into a majestic, believable on-screen adaptation.