First Look: Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Dune

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

In David Lynch's 1984 adaptation of the Frank Herbert novel DUNE, lead character Paul Atreides was played by future Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan. In John Harrison's 2000 DUNE mini-series (and the 2003 follow-up CHILDREN OF DUNE), the character was played by Alec Newman. A third adaptation is set to reach theatres on December 18th, and in this one Paul Atreides is being played by Timothée Chalamet. Eight months out from the film's release, Vanity Fair got the exclusive first look at an image of Chalamet in character – and that's the image seen above.

It's not the most impressive or inspiring image, but if you've been wondering what Chalamet's Paul will look like, there you go. 

Paul Atreides is 

a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet's exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence – a commodity capable of unlocking humanity's greatest potential – only those who can conquer their fear will survive.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve from a screenplay he wrote with Eric Roth and Jon Spaihts, the new DUNE also stars Oscar Issac as Paul's father Duke Leto Atreides, Rebecca Ferguson as Paul's mother Lady Jessica, Stellan Skarsgård as the villainous Baron Harkonnen, Dave Bautista as Harkonnen's brutish nephew Glossu Rabban, Charlotte Rampling as the emperor's truthsayer Reverend Mother Mohiam, Javier Bardem as helpful tribe leader Stilgar, Josh Brolin as troubadour-swordsman Gurney Halleck, Jason Momoa as swordmaster Duncan Idaho, David Dastmalchian as the twisted Piter De Vries, Chang Chen as Atreides family physician Dr. Yueh, and Zendaya as Chani Kynes, "the girl of Paul's dreams". 

Villeneuve produced DUNE with Mary Parent and Cale Boyter, with Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Thomas Tull, and Kim Herbert executive producing. Kevin J. Anderson served as creative consultant.