As if the Dune cast couldn't get any more stacked, the sequel adds big names like Florence Pugh. To no surprise, everyone involved in Dune: Part 2 is turning in great performances, particularly Pugh and Zendaya, as star Timothée Chalamet has nothing but praise for his two co-stars.
With the sequel set to cover the second half of the novel, Dune: Part 2 will heavily focus on Paul's relationship with the Fremen group and his journey to becoming the fabled Kwisatz Haderach, which eventually leads to his rebellion against the Emperor. Pre-shooting took place on July 4, 2022, at the Brion tomb in Altivole, Italy, while principal photography began on July 18 in Budapest, Hungary. Dune: Part 2 then started filming in Abu Dhabi in November.
Sitting down for an interview for Variety's Bones and All cover, Chalamet raved about his two Dune 2 co-stars, sharing how the two have delivered incredible performances thus far. "Florence is really special,” Chalamet said. “She’s an incredible actor. She was incredible in ‘Dune’ — seriously incredible. She brought a gravitas to the role. And I can’t believe my good fortune at this young age…between Taylor Russell in ‘Bones and All’ and Zendaya in ‘Dune.’ And Austin Butler’s in that movie too." He added that Pugh, who joined the cast as Princess Irulan, has now wrapped on Dune: Part 2.
For Zendaya, Chalamet said that she's bringing everything she brought to the first film, but more, adding that the two were able to grow their friendship after working on the first film together due to her bigger role in Dune: Part 2. “She hasn’t wrapped yet, and it’s amazing,” Chalamet said. “She’s bringing exactly what she brought to the first one — which was incredible — but in greater abundance. And she’s really become a sister. I’m so grateful to count her as a partner and a sister and a friend, and also to share stories about how amazing it is to work with Luca, because we worked with him back to back on wildly different projects." Chalamet was referencing that Zendaya got to collaborate with director Luca Guadagnino on the upcoming tennis romantic comedy, Challengers.
All three actors are cementing themselves as some of Hollywood's biggest stars, so it's no surprise fans are in store for more great performances in Dune: Part Two. Joining them are Austin Butler, who has been cast as Harkonnen heir Feyd-Rautha, and Christopher Walken as emperor Shaddam IV. Other additions include Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot and Souheila Yacoub as Shishakli. Some returning cast members include Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Javier Bardem as Stilgar, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Harkonnen, and Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban.
Dune: Part Two will now arrive in theatres on November 3, 2023.
Source: Variety