Race to Oscars 2025: History Proves Denis Villeneuve Won’t Win Best Director, but ‘Dune 2’ Win Can Make Him the Second Person to Rewrite the Script

Dune: Part Two was one of the finest films to have come out of 2024 and there is no question about it. Directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Timothée Chalamet with Zendaya and others, the film was a slap to those who believe that sequels are always disappointing. Despite the crazy box office collection and the overwhelmingly positive response from both critics and fans alike, the Directors Guild of America Awards’ decision has shocked cinema enthusiasts.

The nominees for the 77^th Directors Guild of America Awards were recently unveiled and the world is surprised to learn that Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two was not nominated for a single category, let alone for Feature Film. Unfortunately, if history is any indication, this does not look good for the filmmaker who might be hoping for an Oscar win.

Why the DGA snub may cause problems for Denis Villeneuve in the 2025 Oscars

The 77^th DGA Awards will soon honor outstanding directorial achievements from 2024 and thus, skipping over Dune: Part Two is no less than a crime. For Feature Film, the nominees are: Emilia Pérez, Anora, Conclave, The Brutalist, and A Complete Unknown. As you can see, the Dune sequel is nowhere to be found.

This is a huge blow to Denis Villeneuve and his team who worked to bring the film to perfection. Needless to say, fans were not happy with the DGA’s decision.

Now, why is a DGA nomination important? It is well-established that the DGA is a big indication as to what nominations we will get to see in the Oscars, especially for Best Director. Let’s take a trip down memory lane.

In the last few decades, there have only been eight times when the winner of DGA’s Feature Film category did not win an Oscar. Furthermore, only once has a filmmaker with no DGA nomination managed to score the Oscar for Best Director.

All the way back in 1948, director John Huston won the Oscar for his film The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. If Villeneuve somehow manages to throw a curveball and bag an Oscar win for himself, he will be only the second person to have done so. Fingers crossed!

Fans are upset with Denis Villeneuve’s DGA snub

After Dune: Part Two captivated audiences with its stunning visuals, epic scale, and masterful direction, expectations from the award season were sky-high. Villeneuve’s ability to bring Frank Herbert’s complex world to life has been praised by critics and fans time and time again.

Thus, his not being in the running for a DGA nomination this year feels like a glaring oversight. Whatever the reason for this snub may be, it sure is a more surprising twist than what we saw at the end of Dune 2.

Take a look at how some have reacted to the shocking turn of events:

No Denis Villeneuve in *DGA* is certainly a shocking and disappointing surprise! Dune: Part Two is such an expertly crafted and intricately directed movie that I believe the only reason Denis got snubbed here is because of jealousy over its success 😂 https://t.co/1LMp396mIv

— Robert “Iceman” Drake (@iceman__xmen) January 9, 2025

Finally watched Dune: Part Two so I can officially get angry that Denis Villeneuve didn’t get a DGA nomination

— Christopher Ikonomou 👽 (@cpikoart) January 9, 2025

#DGA nominations for films are ridiculous but not shocking, 5 white men lol Conclave,Anora, Brutalist deserve the spot but where’s Dune?! I would’ve even liked to see Robert Eggers, I don’t like him, but the craft in Nosferatu is immaculate. Also 100% Wicked over the horrible…

— Faissal Sam Shaib (@anasamSh) January 9, 2025

villeneuve being snubbed at the dga is crazy lol. people said dune 2 was going to go on an oppenheimer run back in march lol.

— Doug (@reservoirdougs) January 8, 2025

DGA lives in another reality if they think EMILIA PÉREZ or A COMPLETE UNKNOWN are better directed than DUNE: PART TWO or NICKEL BOYS or THE SUBSTANCE. Get a damn clue.

— Johnny Sobczak (@JohnnySobczak) January 8, 2025

Going back to Dune, the film was nominated at the 74^th DGA under Feature Film along with West Side Story and others. While Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog took home the prize, at least it had a nomination to flaunt.

Subsequently, the OG film went on to receive ten nominations at the 94^th Academy Awards and took home a total of 6. Not Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, or Best Picture, though.

Well, let’s wait and see what the Oscars look like for Villeneuve this year. Will he rewrite history?

Dune: Part Two is available to watch on Netflix and Max.