When it comes to sprawling science-fiction universes, one of the most classic has always been Frank Herbert's Dune franchise, while the most iconic has always been the Star Wars franchise. Although both franchises cover very different aspects of literature, the two share some unique similarities. It's no secret that Star Wars owes a lot to Dune in terms of inspiration. Recent years have shown that even after the first film, its most famous planet, Tatooine, operates similarly to Dune's Arrakis. But there are more similarities between the planets than just copious amounts of sand.
Both Stories Showcase Massive Creatures
The planet of Arrakis is best known for its severe lack of water. But an even more famous and deadly addition to the planet is the sand's inhabitants, the Sandworms. These massive creatures sense vibrations and emerge from the depths to find the source of the sounds that have called them. They may start small, but they are nothing short of deadly. Tatooine has its fair share of creatures that emerge from the sandy surface as well, including the Sarlacc, which is famous for devouring and later being killed by Boba Fett. There's also the Krayt Dragon, a massive acid-spitting creature that's just as dangerous as a Sandworm, if not more so.
Tatooine and Arrakis Feature Dangerous Rulers
Before Boba Fett took over as Daimyo of the planet, Tatooine was run by the Hutts -- specifically, Jabba. He was a massive, disgusting and malicious warlord who ruled over the planet with an iron fist and wasn't afraid to sentence people to die for his entertainment. In a way, Dune's Baron Harkonen was no different. The Baron ruled over Arrakis, a land that wasn't his own, and did so with fear and force. Thanks to the equally disgusting and malicious leader, anyone who challenged him was often met with a grisly death. Fortunately, the two both met fitting and vile ends.
Tusken Raiders Share Similar Beliefs to the Fremen
The Fremen in Dune are a group of people who operate on Arrakis among the dunes and within the ruins. They live off of the lands and see themselves as the rightful people of the planet. Their feelings are so strong that they aren't afraid to fight for their home using guerrilla tactics to combat their more advanced enemies. The Tusken Raiders are also no different, as shown in The Book of Boba Fett. In the series, the Tuskens are explained as being deeply connected tribes who fight only for survival and have their own beliefs that are followed out of respect. No one can simply enter their ranks; they must earn their place, much like Paul Atreides in Dune.
Both Stories Include Recreational Drugs of the Same Name
The most important commodity on Arrakis is a drug known as spice. Whether as currency or for a more religious reason, spice has multiple uses in the universe. In Dune, the most famous application is as a drug that allows Paul to better see the past, present and future through Prescience. However, its properties can also be highly addictive, making it a recreational drug that's easily made from the planet. Star Wars has a similar application for its own spice, which is mined on Kessel and shipped out en masse for criminal organizations to sell. Poe Dameron is an example of a reformed spice runner but far from the only one to transport it to planets like Tatooine.
Both Star Wars and Dune Feature Desert Planets
Perhaps the most obvious connection between Dune and Star Wars is its desert planets. Dune covered only one planet, Arrakis, but offered a detailed explanation of why the planet evolved and is now one with sand oceans rather than lush greens. On the other hand, Star Wars has multiple sand planets like Geonosis and Jakku. However, because the galaxy is so vast, these planets have had different styles and appearances that differentiate them. In Tatooine's case, this included binary suns and far more civilizations than other planets, as, much like Arrakis, the moisture can be found in certain spots on the planet. Ultimately, Arrakis has shown that it is similar to Tatooine in more ways than one.