When Jodo’s Dune collapsed, it was of course taken up by David Lynch, who allegedly turned down the job of directing Return of the Jedi to do it.

Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV(wish I could find a larger image)

As the story goes, the Emperor was to be played by Salvador Dali(which seems evident in the concept drawing). The insane ruler who lived on a planet of artificial gold, Dali would only agree to take part if he were payed $100,000 per day. Allegedly Jodorowsky agreed, and figured out a way to shoot all of Dali’s scenes in a single day.

When it’s all said and done, I’m glad this film never happened. For one, it’s collapse led to things like Alien and more indirectly, Blade Runner. But more importantly, I love Jodorwosky’s films and Herbert’s books immensely. And separately. Jodo’s version veered too far from the source material, yet that source material would still be holding him back from being the unhinged creator I know him to be. Better that he get his own version of the story out through things like The Incal, The Metabarons, and The Technopriests.

Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, pictured above, was allegedly going to be played by Orson Welles.

Dune, as it was to be directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, had some incredibly large ambitions. Costume designs by Moebius, set design by H.R. Giger, and a soundtrack by Pink Floyd(allegedly). It is a sort of bittersweet “shame it didn’t happen” story that fuels people’s imaginations for what could have been. Though I think what would have been is pretty apparent, given the amount of pre-production material produced as well as Jodorowsky’s own description.

Concept work for the infamous Jodorowsky-directed adaptation of Dune.