Actor Timothée Chalamet has a busy year ahead of him. The sensational actor was last seen reuniting with his Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino in the romantic horror Bones and All. He was also seen in the animated film Entergalactic and will next be starring in Paul King’s Wonka.
However, all eyes are desperately waiting for his return as Paul Atreides in Dennis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two. The actor starred in the first film along with Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, and Rebecca Ferguson. While the film might be the conclusion of the main storyline which began in Dune director Dennis Villeneuve reveals that he is working on a third.
Timothée Chalamet As Paul Atreides
When Timothée Chalamet was cast as the protagonist Paul Atreides in 2018, he was yet to headline a big-budget production of that scale. However, he was fresh off of an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in Call Me By Your Name and had gained considerable recognition for his role in Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird.
Director Dennis Villeneuve stated that he wished to cast an actor who was like an ‘old soul trapped in a teenager’s body’. He mentioned that Chalamet fit the description perfectly and was his only choice for the role. Paul Atreides is the son of Duke Leto of Caladan, who moves to the desert planet of Arrakis, where Paul is destined to become the messiah of the oppressed natives, the Fremen.
Chalamet’s restrained performance as a teenage prince burdened with the responsibility of the world was universally acclaimed. His performance along with Rebecca Ferguson’s, who plays his mother, Lady Jessica, were considered to be the highlights of Dune. Chalamet is all set to return in the sequel to fulfill his destiny and become the savior of Arrakis from the antagonist Baron Harkonnen.
What Is Next For Timothée Chalamet In The Dune Universe?
When Dennis Villeneuve first started adapting Frank Herbert’s novel, he envisioned it as a two-part film. He hoped that Dune would be successful enough to greenlight the sequel, which ultimately happened. However, Villeneuve revealed that he is not yet done with the world of Dune, and intends to make a third part with Chalamet returning as Paul.
Herbert’s novel has five more sequels, and the director expressed his desire to make a trilogy by adapting the second book ‘Dune Messiah’ as the third film. The book talks about the dangers of having a destined savior and offers a commentary on the trope. In an interview with Empire, Villeneuve said,
“If I succeed in making a trilogy, that would be the dream…’Dune Messiah’ was written in reaction to the fact that people perceived Paul Atreides as a hero. Which is not what he wanted to do. My adaptation is closer to his idea that it’s actually a warning.”
The director also mentioned that these ideas were not just passing thoughts, but could actually materialize if the sequel does good at the box office. He said,
“I will say, there are words on paper.”
Dune: Part Two was greenlit after Dune’s great performance at the box office, earning over $400 million despite the pandemic and WB’s controversial simultaneous streaming release. The sequel was originally set to release on November 17, 2023, but was delayed to March 15, 2024, due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Source: Empire
Also read: “His life is so absurd”: Wonka Director Pokes Fun at Timothée Chalamet’s High School Rap Career
