When House Atreides is assigned rule over the planet Arrakis, the longtime controllers of the spice -- House Harkonnen -- appear to peacefully hand over the territory while plotting to assassinate Duke Leto and his entire family. After escaping capture, the Duke's consort and her son, Paul, find themselves facing the untold dangers of the desert planet: harsh environment, enormous spice-producing sandworms, and Fremen, the native inhabitants.