Dune 2Dune 2 director Denis Villeneuve explains why there is a big focus on his “secret weapon” Zendaya’s Chani in the sequel, honoring Frank Herbert’s original intentWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Dune 2Dune 2 director Denis Villeneuve explains why there is a big focus on his “secret weapon” Zendaya’s Chani in the sequel, honoring Frank Herbert’s original intentWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)
When2021’s Dunefirst hit theaters, many were disappointed at the lack of screen time Zendaya’s character Chani received. However, fans were told to be patient as filmmakers promised that she would play a larger role in the sequel, which is now arriving on the big screen this week.
Chani is central to that story, but fans of the book will notice there are some differences in the role she plays here compared to the 1965 sci-fi novel. However, according to Villeneuve this is because he wanted to honor the original intentions of author Frank Herbert and saw Zendaya’s character as the way to do so. We won’t go into more details here as to not spoil anything, but for the filmmaker Chani was the key to unlocking this chapter of the epic tale.
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)
He explained to GamesRadar+ why it was crucial for her to take center stage: “It’s very important. It’s fundamental. Chani is my secret weapon in this adaptation because I wanted to be faithful to Frank Herbert’s initial intention.”
The director continues, “When the first book was released, he was disappointed with the way people perceived the book and Paul’s character. He wanted to make a kind of cautionary tale instead of a celebration of a hero - he wanted to create an antihero. And for that he wrote Dune Messiah to correct the perception of the first book. And I knew that, so I made this adaptation in order to try to be faithful to this idea, which are Frank Herbert’s initial desires, and I use Chani’s character, I transform her. I created a critical distance, she allows me to have distance with Paul. From her perspective I can see the trial more clearly and Paul’s trajectory.”
Dune: Part Two releases in theaters worldwide on March 1. For more on the movie check out the rest of our coverage:
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
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Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
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5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”