“Dune: Prophecy” mainly focuses on the Sisterhood, a group of women who eventually become the Bene Gesserit (who, by the time of the main “Dune” storyline, use their mind-controlling powers and talent for shaping the religious beliefs of far-flung societies to control galactic politics).

The ancient conflict, known as the Butlerian Jihad in Frank Herbert's books, will be glimpsed in HBO's new prequel series.

That may have been the only move Dune: Prophecy could have made, but it’s one that relies on viewers having an interest in its franchise’s world beyond what Villeneuve and his cast brought to their Dune films. That’s a gamble that may work ...