The universe of Dune consists of many actors who are entangled in the fate of the universe. However, the new movies by Denis Villeneuve show only a fraction of these constructs. One of the most important factions is almost not shown at all.
Which faction is it? One of the most powerful factions in the Dune universe is the Spacing Guild, as they have a monopoly on space travel. They control trade routes and the transport of goods and people.
Together with the great houses and the Empire, the Spacing Guild decided on the Great Convention. These were rules and structures that were supposed to ensure that humans remain the great species of the universe. For example, rules for wars were also established.
In this construct, the Spacing Guild has an important function that takes the form of the Navigators.
An essential ability for the universe
Why are the Navigators so important? After the great war against the thinking machines, the Spacing Guild began mental training with the Bene Gesserit. They trained the Navigators there. These could see into the future with the resource Spice.
This is essential for traveling at light speed. The Navigators were the only beings in the Dune universe who could perform such travels. A monopoly was created, making the Guild incredibly important and powerful. Without a large army or strong weapons, the Guild can annihilate entire planets by ceasing trade.
Without the Spacing Guild, there is no economy, and societies would be destroyed. Even the Empire could not easily confront the Guild.
Depending on the adaptation, the Navigators are not people as one might imagine. They are humans whose appearance resembles aliens. Often, they are in tanks filled with Spice.
However, in Denis Villeneuve’s films, they have not really been seen so far.
In the new films of Dune, the Guild has not been active so far
In the current adaptation, the Spacing Guild has not had any relevance so far. At the swearing-in of Leto Atreides on Arrakis, they are indeed guests, but they are only explicitly mentioned in production notes. In the 2021 film, they are visually represented almost like priests wearing a kind of space helmet.
It should be noted that in the original novels, they only become important with the second book, Dune Messiah. Before that, the Guild warned the Bene Gesserit that they had foreseen a difficult time in the future.
In the 1984 adaptation by David Lynch, the Navigators were already present. They were depicted as grotesque creatures in large Spice tanks. In the year 2000, Dune was adapted as a TV series by the Sy-Fy channel. The Spacing Guild also made an appearance there.
Relevant for Dune: Messiah
Will the Spacing Guild become important? In the books by Frank Herbert, the Guild later intervenes in the machinations of Paul Atreides, who causes a power shift on Arrakis, the only Spice planet.
This leads to tensions, as like all other factions, the Spacing Guild is dependent on Spice. As already hinted in the new films, Paul ensures that the known power structures of the universe are changed.
When will the next film be released? An official date is not yet known, but work on the film has already begun. Many believe that Dune Messiah is expected to be released in late 2026, as Warner Bros. is planning a Denis Villeneuve event film at that time. Nothing fits this better than Dune: Messiah. Until then, we can expect a new game in the Dune universe, which MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus is excited about: I have played thousands of hours of survival games, but Dune: Awakening is different from any of them
