Is star wars a rip-off of the book (not the movie) Dune?

Question

Many of my friends seem to think so, but I see elements of the Errol Flynn movie Captain Blood.

Answer 1

It is well documented that George Lucas did rip off his idea for Star Wars but not from Dune. But rather from Saturday morning cereal shows like Flash Gordon. He also borrowed heavily from Joseph Campbell, and I think the book was called the Power of Myth.



I am a HUGE Star Wars fan and a HUGE Dune fan. The savior mythos isn't just represented in those two movies, but has been repeated a number of times. Just one that comes to mind recently was Matrix.



Anyway, No I don't believe he ripped off Dune, the book.

Answer 2

No it's not a rip off.



Many epic tales have common themes running through them which is no doubt a reason for their popularity as these are themes that speak to most of us as human beings. They incorporate many simliar archetypes or storylines like: "Good vs Evil" or "light vs. Dark", "Machine vs Nature"... a hero who grows up not knowing about his lineage (Luke), a mentor who teaches them (Obi Wan, Yoda). In classic mythology, the hero reluctantly leaves his/her homeland...overcome a series of obstacles and ultimately, depite having a loyal "helper" or sidekick must stand on his own. Hero prevails, after a final showdown with villain. This pattern of myth appears in plenty of books, TV shows and films. George Lucas did a lot of mythology research when we has creating star wars and certainly the themes are similar but the story is definitely unique.

Answer 3

DUNE Originally Published: 1965



STAR WARS Originally Released: 1977



Bene Gesserit are a small group of beings with powers and foresight



Jedi are a small group of beings with powers and foresight



The Fremen have a Prophecy that the son of a Bene Gesserit, the Mahti, will come and change Arrakis for the better of all Fremen



Jedi have a Prophecy that the chosen one would bring balance to the force



Paul "Mu'Adib" Atreides is the most powerful Bene Gesserit that the prophecy is talking about



Anakin Skywalker is the most powerful Jedi that the prophecy is talking about



Paul "Mu'Adib" Atreides conquers the universe in the name of the New Empire



Anakin Skywalker, now Darth Vader conquers the universe in the name of the New Empire



Even though he fulfilled the prophecy many considered him evil for the large scale wars and the slaughter of enemies. Even many of the Fremen who prayed for the Mahti, hated and cursed him. They weren't prepared for how quickly he would change their environment and customs



Darth Vader did fulfill the prophecy. During the time of the Republic, the Jedi were a major force and the Sith were all but extinct. Balance means equal or a sense of symmetry. When Darth Vader massacred all the Jedi, he fulfilled the prophecy by leaving only two Jedi and two Sith. Perfect symmetry.



Under MuAdib's rule many think it would be best to draw up a constitution. Mu'Adib denies the request. He considers democracy to be too chaotic, hence becoming the Emperor of the universe.



The universe was a Democratic Republic , until Darth Vader and the Chancellor decimated it and created the Galactic Empire



The prophecy, assumed to be a good thing, resulted in being what many considered a great evil



The prophecy, assumed to be a good thing, resulted in being what many considered a great evil



Paul Mu'Adib, with his amazing foresight, has haunting visions of his love, Chani, dying in child birth



Anakin, with his amazing foresight, has haunting visions of his love, Amidala, dying in child birth



Chani gives birth to twins, a boy and a girl. Paul's amazing foresight failed to see two children, he only foresaw having one



Amidala gives birth to twins, a boy and a girl. Anakins amazing foresight failed to see two children, he only foresaw having one



Chani dies in childbirth



Amidala dies in childbirth



Paul's son, Leto Atreides grows up and becomes powerful himself



Anakin's son, Luke Skywalker grows up and becomes powerful himself



Leto Atreides redeems his fathers name and intentions



Luke Skywalker redeems his fathers name and intentions



The answer is that they are symilar, but there are so many variations that even if lucas did copy Dune and rewrite it in to Star Wars he did it in such a way that made it so diverse that makes the book and movies very different from each other.

Answer 4

Of course it is. Frank Herbert was going to sue Lucas. The original script was rejected by the studio because it was almost exactly the same as Dune until they hired Gary Kurtz re-write the script until the studio could avoid a plagiarism lawsuit. Lucas routinely ripped off material. That's not "inspired" like he was inspired by "The Hidden Fortress." That's "ripped off" as in blatantly used someone else's work. Not just Herbert, he ripped off "The Dam Busters" shot for shot. It's only a "homage" if you mention it when the film is made, not 20 years of arm twisting afterward.

Answer 5

no way star wars is far superior to dune!

Answer 6

No.