The much-anticipated sci-fi epic "Dune" is set to hit Chinese theaters on Friday, with advance screenings leaving Chinese audiences and sci-fi lovers in awe of its grandiose vision and unique aesthetics.

"The Dune universe has only just begun – there are infinite stars in its future," announced Sirena Liu, the CEO of Legendary East, the China subsidiary of Legendary Entertainment, at the film's premiere in China on Monday.

Adapted from the 1965 sci-fi novel by American writer Frank Herbert, the saga portrays a future feudal interstellar society in which various noble families rule planetary fiefdoms. The protagonist, Paul Atreides (played by actor Timothee Chalamet), is a gifted young man born with a destiny beyond his understanding and who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. 

"The story of 'Dune' is a gritty, visually spectacular coming-of-age story of Paul, who we get to follow through the epic journey," said actress Rebecca Ferguson, who plays Atreides' mother. "And embodies various geopolitical, gender equality, and empowerment issues that we continue to battle today."

Fascinated by the novel since he was child, director Denis Villeneuve made this film to fulfill his dream, casting stellar actors such as Jason Momoa, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, and a special appearance by Chinese actor Chang Chen – who in one scene speaks to Chalamet's Atreides in Chinese Mandarin – to bring this universe to life.

Ji Shaoting, founder of the Future Affairs Administration, told China.org.cn the film's imagination and its visual design aesthetic left her stunned. "For example, the big spaceships in the film have clean and smooth surfaces, which is quite different from the spaceships that appear in other sci-fi films."

"After reading the original novel, you will understand why Hollywood was unable to make a proper 'Dune' film before, because it's so grand with abundant content and characters," she added. "As a sci-fi fan, I feel that we are witnessing history when embracing such film in cinema."

Winner of the Hugo Award and Nebula Award for outstanding science fiction, the "Dune" series is widely considered one of the greatest science fiction works of all time and has inspired several sci-fi classics such as "Star Wars," "Alien," and "Avatar." The upcoming film adaptation only covers the first half of the first book.

Tony Xia, film development director of Chinese sci-fi brand Eight Light Minutes, said he was impressed by the magnificent desert scenes in the film, which render it "as if it was alive."

"This is a space sci-fi saga disguised as a Hamlet revenge story: this outer shell is for mainstream audiences, while the sci-fi core shows off the infinite possibilities of the universe, including technological spectacles. I think this is a two-and-a-half-hour long movie trailer, with much more excitement yet to come," Xia said.

Dio, a self-described movie fanatic, said after an advance screening that he yearns to see more what "Dune" has to offer in the future, adding he was very satisfied with the film's visual presentation and cinematography. "It's obvious that they've done a great job in conveying the grandeur of the original novel, whether it's in terms of the fighting, languages, or characters' settings – many aspects come together to create a feeling of a big world view."

To best take in the grandeur of "Dune," director Villeneuve said the film is made for IMAX giant screens for the ultimate cinematic experience. "It's about immersion and intimacy. With IMAX, the frame no longer exists. You're just falling into the image," he said. "That's the way 'Dune' is meant to be seen."

The film will also be released on HBO Max for streaming on Oct. 22. However, regarding the streaming format, Villeneuve said, "Frankly, to watch 'Dune' on a television, the best way I can compare it is to drive a speedboat in your bathtub. For me, it's ridiculous."

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