#Dune #Part #Collectibles #Popcorn #Bucket #WorthPoint
While I am more of a romantic comedy type of gal, last weekend, I was persuaded to see the new Dune: Part Two movie with a handful of sci-fi lovers and was quickly fascinated by the current glut of Dune 2 merch on the market. Of course, much of this has now hit the secondary market with inflated prices for limited editions, signed items, and, of course, that notorious popcorn bucket. Sandworms and all, read on to learn all about 2024’s new Dune: Part Two collectibles.
A Sandy Story
Both Dune and Dune: Part Two movies are based on Frank Herbert’s chef-d’oeuvre, published in 1965. Since the book was originally published as two separate magazine serials called Dune World and Prophet of Dune, it is apt that there are now two movies. Like many sci-fi works, Dune is full of nuanced layers of politics, religion, technology, and human emotions folded within a fantastical, futuristic, and super sandy society.
David Lynch had a crack at making the film version of the book in 1984, but it was a bust at the time compared to Denis Villeneuve’s interpretation, released in 2021. Believe it or not, the 2021 version was even nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Given all the accolades (not to mention box office income) for the first Dune movie, it is no surprise to see Dune: Part Two in theaters in 2024.
Dune 2 Signed Merch
Some of the Dune 2 collectibles fetching the highest prices today are items signed by the cast, such as posters and photographs. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya dominate the film, but Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem, and even Christopher Walken also appear. Posters signed by the movie’s major stars are already selling for upwards of $2,000 on the secondary market, and with the popularity of the feature, these are good investments.
Hollywood clapboards signed by the director Denis Villeneuve are showing up online with several hundred dollar price tags, although these have a slightly nebulous authenticity to me. With any signed items, be sure that your item either comes with a legitimate COA (Certificate of Authenticity) or at least some solid provenance.
Dune 2 Toys and Games
Some more traditional Dune 2 memorabilia includes figures, games, and toys. If you’ve seen Dune: Part Two, you’ll remember the wonderfully crafted and unusual helicopter flying through various scenes. Little did I know this is actually called an “ornithopter,” with LEGO releasing a Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter model as part of its Icons series in February 2024. If you are a fan of these tiny building blocks, you’ll enjoy this latest addition to the LEGO Icons limited-edition sets, which also include the Back to the Future Time Machine car and the Ghostbusters ECTO-1 van.
Of course, Funko Pop! has hopped on the Dune 2 bandwagon, and even I am tempted by their blue-eyed version of Paul Atreides (sure, it helps that it looks quite a bit like Timothée Chalamet). Characters Stilgar and Chani have the same bright blue eyes, while Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is a little less creepy as a Funko Pop! version.
Industry giant McFarlane has also released a small glut of Dune 2 figurines. However, I imagine they are not too popular with the younger action figure collectors since Dune 2 is a bit more for older audiences. Older action figure fans may lean towards the Dune 2 figures on old-fashioned blister cards like Super7’s ReAction figures. I think these are a better investment than the McFarlane figures, but be sure not to open them and to keep them in high-grade condition.
A Candle that Smells like Arrakis
I am always fascinated by the quirkier memorabilia popular with movie releases. Sure, my household went through a Monopoly phase where we were playing Pokémon, National Park, and even Pizza Monopoly, but does anyone really want to play Dune Monopoly? I am also not a big Etsy person, but I am utterly intrigued by the number of Dune 2 candles available on the site. I understand Dune “The Spice” or “Melange” candles, but who really wants a candle called “Smells like Arrakis” or “This Candle Smells like Zendaya?”
Also, to be honest, those Dune 2 sandworms totally gross me out. Kudos to Frank Herbert for thinking that riding a giant worm like a surfboard would be fun, and even bigger kudos for Denis Villeneuve to putting that on the big screen. But now that you can buy a sandworm plush like a GiantMicrobes plush, I think I am starting to appreciate simple Squishmallows.
Last but not least, how about the Dune 2 sandworm popcorn bucket? If you have not yet heard, yes, some of those have been selling for upwards of $1,000 (but most for hundreds) on the secondary market due to their unusual design. I do not expect these to hold their value once this viral trend has run its course, and I would definitely recommend investing in a Dune 2 LEGO set or blister card figure instead. Best of all, they don’t feature those gross sandworms!
Amy Moyer is the proprietor of Antmuffin: Art, Antiques & Collectibles. She holds a B.A. in Visual Art from Brown University and lives in Boston.
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