Sci-fi fans across India have exciting news to celebrate! Warner Bros India has announced that both Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part 2 and Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar will be making a return to IMAX theatres nationwide starting on March 14. The films will be screened for a limited time, running through March 20.
Interstellar’s IMAX Return
The decision to re-release Interstellar in theatres comes as a pleasant surprise, given the film’s recent re-release in February 2024, marking its tenth anniversary. Although initially scheduled for a December 2024 re-release, the screening had to be postponed several times due to the dominance of Pushpa 2: The Rule at the box office during late 2023. This time, however, Nolan’s 2014 space epic is poised to captivate audiences once again. The film’s initial re-release proved to be a huge success, raking in almost Rs 20 crore in its first week alone, which reflects its enduring appeal in India. For context, the film had grossed around Rs 30 crore during its original 2014 release.
As of now, Interstellar has earned a total of approximately USD 759 million (around Rs 662.3 crore) at the global box office. The movie, starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and others, tells the tale of Cooper, a former NASA pilot, who embarks on a perilous space mission to find a new home for humanity as Earth becomes increasingly uninhabitable. Cooper’s journey, which involves leaving behind his family for the sake of saving humanity, is fraught with both personal sacrifice and scientific wonders.
Dune: Part 2’s Re-release
On the heels of its recent Oscar wins for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects, Dune: Part 2 is also making a triumphant return to theatres in India. This re-release follows a highly successful run last year, following up on the success of Dune (2021). The movie earned an impressive Rs 34 crore in its original theatrical run in India, while globally, it amassed around USD 714 million (Rs 623.1 crore).
The epic sequel, which continues the story of Paul Atreides, picks up with him embracing Fremen life on the desert planet of Arrakis. Paul masters the harsh environment, including riding giant sandworms, while plotting revenge against the Emperor and House Harkonnen for the destruction of his house and the death of his father, Leto. Dune: Part 2 stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, and several other notable actors, including Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, and Javier Bardem. Based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, Dune delves deep into the complex political and spiritual struggles surrounding Arrakis, the universe’s most valuable planet.
Fun Fact: Shared Talents
Both films, while vastly different in their narrative and settings, share more than just the sci-fi genre. Notably, actor Timothée Chalamet appears in both films, playing the lead role of Paul Atreides in Dune and a much smaller but significant role as Matthew McConaughey’s son in Interstellar. Additionally, the legendary composer Hans Zimmer, a long-time collaborator with Christopher Nolan, created the iconic soundtrack for Interstellar and also composed the music for Dune: Part 2, tying both films together musically.
With both Interstellar and Dune: Part 2 heading to IMAX screens for a week of spectacular viewing, sci-fi enthusiasts are in for an unforgettable cinematic experience.