'Dune' Draws on Islamic Motifs, Inspires Muslim Art

Islamic and Arabic themes were a key influence on the seminal sci-fi novel "Dune," which went on to influence many works in the genre -- notably the most popular science fiction film franchise of all time, "Star Wars." Oct. 22 will see the release of "Dune" to HBO Max, the second major motion picture adaptation of the 1965 sci-fi novel, which centers on the struggle for control of Arrakis, a desert planet that produces the galaxy’s most valuable commodity: spice.