How Dune Inspired Star Wars - Learning From Literature

Dune was published in 1965 and the first Star Wars movie was released 12 years later in 1977.

For more on the Dune universe, check out my page here!

Common Aspects

The rise of Paul Atreides in Dune closely mirrors Luke Skywalker’s journey in Star Wars. Both begin as unlikely heroes who gradually master mysterious powers while confronting enormous challenges on the path to fulfilling their destinies. Intriguingly, each is also descended from infamous villains (I won’t spoil it – just in case you somehow don’t know).

To start, both characters come of age on harsh desert planets. Paul is thrust into life on Arrakis, a deadly world with two moons, while Luke grows up on Tatooine, which famously has two suns. These arid worlds are defined by water scarcity, deadly sand-dwelling creatures (sandworms and the Sarlacc), and the use of massive “sandcrawler” vehicles to navigate the terrain.

Both stories also revolve around the resistance to brutal imperial regimes. Dune introduces the Galactic Padishah Empire, or Imperium, while Star Wars pits its heroes against the Galactic Empire – names that are almost laughably similar. Each empire is controlled by a shadowy emperor (Shaddam IV and Palpatine) who manipulates events through fearsome agents (Baron Harkonnen and Darth Vader). Their armies – the Sardaukar in Dune and the stormtroopers in Star Wars – are elite enforcers designed to crush opposition.

Paul and Luke both ultimately lead a guerrilla war against these powers. Luke rises through the Rebel Alliance to become a key military leader, while Paul unites the Fremen and leads a brutal jihad. Both pursue revolution not just with force, but also through mythic symbolism.Finally, both universes center around mystical orders with near-supernatural abilities. The Bene Gesserit in Dune and the Jedi in Star Wars operate through prophecy, mental control, and combat prowess. And in both stories, it’s Paul and Luke who rise above all others to wield these powers in ways that reshape the future.

Other Similarities

Princess Alia and Princess Leia (don’t neglect to notice the similarity between names) are psychic sisters to Paul and Luke, respectively. Both pairs share mental bonds that let them sense each other’s presence and even communicate without speaking.

Both stories also feature nearly identical assassination attempts. In Dune, a hunter-seeker drone sneaks into Paul’s room, controlled remotely by a hidden killer. In Star Wars, a tiny drone guided by someone nearby delivers poisonous worms into Padmé Amidala’s bedroom.

Conclusion

It’s safe to say George Lucas drew significant inspiration from Dune when creating the Star Wars universe. The parallels – desert planets, mystical powers, galactic empires – are too numerous to ignore. However, that’s not to say Star Wars is simply a copy of Dune. Despite their similarities, the two stories diverge in tone and intent. Star Wars is a fast-paced, swashbuckling space opera focused on action and heroism, while Dune is a slow-burning, layered epic that delves into complex themes like politics, ecology, religion, and human nature.

Get Dune by clicking this link!

Get the Star Wars book adaptations of the prequel + original film trilogies here and here (the third trilogy is sold in separate volumes).

Check out more General Articles!

Check out more Dune posts!