Timothée Chalamet had everyone buzzing with his part in Dune Part Two as Paul Atreides. The scene that really got people chatting was when he went head-to-head with a sandworm. It was a major moment in the sci-fi flick. But here’s the thing, shooting that sandworm scene?
It took a crazy three months! And Chalamet? He went through some serious discomfort while they were filming. Way more than you’d think from just watching the movie. It’s a reminder that making movies isn’t all glitz and glam.
Timothée Chalamet Discussed The Grueling Three-Month Filming Of Paul’s Sandworm Ride In Dune 2
Timothée Chalamet spills the beans on how tough it was to shoot Paul’s sandworm scene in Dune 2. Chatting with Screen Rant, he gives us the lowdown on the whole process. Turns out those massive worm scenes? They took a whopping “three months to shoot”! Chalamet talks about the “worm unit,” where actors would pop in and out for short bursts of filming. He explains how they had to fit it all around the main shoot schedule.
And get this: there was a practical rig that shook like crazy, making it feel like they were really riding sandworms. The actor disclosed,
“Practically, it was a different unit that was separate from the film. We called it the Worm Unit, and you would get pulled onto that unit 20 or 30 minutes at a time, and they would slot the availabilities in relation to the main production schedule.”
Further, he added,
“And it was awe-inspiring. There was a wall this size of a shot list that they were dedicating — like, you put three months to for what’s ultimately a three-minute sequence.”
Chalamet even talks about why the scene was so crucial for his character, Paul. The actor explained,
“It is a crucial test for him to pass, one that Stilgar and Chani are wary of because, to this point, it’s not really sure if this prophecy is one that he’s fulfilling.”
He also had to summon a huge sandworm and ride it like a boss, and he totally nailed it. All in all, it was a wild ride shooting that scene, but Chalamet loved every minute of it. And hey, it’s a big deal for Paul too. He’s gotta earn the Fremen’s trust and support to take on the Harkonnens. So yes, it was a pretty important moment in the movie.
But, here’s the kicker: Denis Villeneuve had to figure out how the Fremen hop onto worms, which was not in the books. Why’s Paul a big deal for the Fremen? They believe he’s got a grand destiny.
To get their military support against the Harkonnens, Paul’s gotta prove he’s one of them. Oh, and they kept pelting sand at Chalamet non-stop during the shoot, yeah, really painful.
Dune: Part Two’s Theatrical Debut Draws Massive Crowds
Dune: Part Two hit theaters with a bang, drawing massive crowds for its highly anticipated debut. Fans eagerly lined up to catch the sequel, and it seems they weren’t disappointed.
According to Chalamet, filming the movie was a blast, and audiences seemed to have just as much fun watching it. Directed by Villeneuve, the sci-fi epic pulled in a staggering (Variety) $32 million on its opening day and soared to over $81 million domestically over the weekend, making it the biggest opening of 2024 so far.
The film’s success wasn’t limited to the U.S. Dune: Part Two also made waves internationally, raking in $97 million across all markets, a 76% jump from its predecessor. Positive word-of-mouth certainly played a role, with the movie earning an A on CinemaScore and a stellar 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
With such an impressive debut, it’s clear that Dune: Part Two is a must-watch. Catch it in theaters now and experience the epic saga for yourself!
