One thing that truly seperates Dune from Starwars is that George Lucas (the corperate whore he is) allowed it to be comercialized and marketed. Frank Herbert was different. Frank Herbert had an opprotunity to make a movie in the late 70s that would compare with Star Wars, but once the movie was ready, Herbert rejected it. He then turned to David Lych (another artist) and made the 80s movie we all know today. Sure that movie didn't have special affects or graphics like Star Wars did, but I personally thought it was a great movie. However, what they really could have done was to make the movie more newcomer friendly, in which you didn't have to read the books to understand the movie. I couldn't blame Frank Herbert, he was a very artistic man, and I still thought the movie was one of the most underapreciated movies. I've heard and read how people say it just can't be made into a good movie, but take a look at LoTR. That movie helped outside fans understood the plot and because of it, LoTR became reconized into mainstream society. It would be really nice to see Dune become like that. If Dune had the same edge as Star Wars of LoTR, it would just become much as popular, probably on the same steps as Star Wars (maybe). I agree that Dune has a cult-like fanbase. People who like Dune are really in to it. To a point I agree with Dante, because I do fell its something to say that "this is what I am a fan of" but I can't help but say that Dune is sorely underappreciate and always overlooked.