New Dune photo reveals more of Zendaya’s character

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Denis Villeneuve is among my favourite directors of all-time, and his adaptation of Drank Herbert's "Dune" is easily my most anticipated film of the year (although COVID-19 has wiped most films off the slate), so yesterday's reveal of a handful of first-look photos from the film was a very welcome surprise. Villeneuve's take on the sprawling sci-fi epic features quite the all-star cast, which includes Timothée Chalamet's (THE KING) as Paul Atreides, Rebecca Ferguson (DOCTOR SLEEP) as Lady Jessica, and Oscar Isaac (STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER) as Duke Leto Atreides.

The film also stars Zendaya (SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME) as Chani, a Fremen who becomes a love interest to Paul Atreides, and the actress revealed a new photo of her character on Instagram which wasn't featured in the Vanity Fair article.

The photo gives us a look at Chani's stillsuit, which helps to preserve the body's moisture, quite necessary in the harsh deserts of Arrakis. You might also spot Chani's crysknife, which is a knive whose blade is made from the tooth of a sandworm. While speaking with Vanity Fair, director Denis Villeneuve commented on how notoriously difficult to adapt the novel has proven to be in the past. "It’s a book that tackles politics, religion, ecology, spirituality—and with a lot of characters," Villeneuve said. "I think that’s why it’s so difficult. Honestly, it’s by far the most difficult thing I’ve done in my life." I've no doubt that Villeneuve will manage to pull it off, but I just hope that the film is successful enough for Warner Bros. to move forward on the sequel.

In addition to Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, and Zendaya, DUNE also stars Stellan Skarsgard (THOR) as the villainous Baron Harkonnen, Dave Bautista (BLADE RUNNER 2049) as his sadistic nephew, Glossu "Beast" Rabban, Charlotte Rampling (RED SPARROW) as the Reverend Mother Mohiam, the emperor's truthsayer, Josh Brolin (AVENGERS: ENDGAME) as Gurney Halleck, a troubadour-swordsman, Javier Bardem (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES) as Stilgar, the leader of the Fremen, Jason Momoa (AQUAMAN) as Duncan Idaho, a swordmaster in the house of Atreides, and David Dastmalchian (ANT-MAN AND THE WASP) as Piter De Vries, a twisted Mentat. DUNE will be hitting theaters on December 18, 2020.