10 Failed Space Operas That Bombed With Mainstream Audiences
2. In Space No One Can Hear You Flop - Dune (1984)
Once the Star Wars saga greased the tracks, filmmakers scrambled to find another galaxy-spanning sci-fi property to keep the gravy train chugging along. Frank Herberts Shakespearian tale of the struggle between two royal houses for control of a planet in the far reaches of space, Dune, seemed like a surefire box office proposition. Producer Dino De Laurentiis decided that the director behind the bizarre Eraserhead, David Lynch, would be the best choice to turn the complex sci-fi saga into a populous crowd-pleasing entertainment. The results were baffling. Behind the scenes, tension between the producers and Lynch lead to a troubled production with the maverick director complaining that he was denied artistic control and a say over the final cut. The backstage turmoil shone through in the disjointed picture. Lynch failed to translate the epic novel into a coherent cinematic experience. The confusing nature of the narrative turned off critics and audiences alike, resulting in poor reviews and box office returns. At least three cuts of the film found there way into cinemas worldwide, none of which make much sense. The unmitigated disaster sent Lynch scrambling back to art house cinema, where he redeemed himself with his very next feature, the classic thriller Blue Velvet.
