Timothee Chalamet Calls 'Dune 3' the "Eeriest" and His Most Intense Role

Timothee Chalamet describes the upcoming 'Dune: Part Three' as the "eeriest" installment of the sci-fi trilogy. He reveals he approached his final performance as Paul Atreides with a new level of intensity and creative freedom, inspired by co-star Oscar Isaac's method. Chalamet felt less intimidated than during the first film, allowing for a "big swing" in collaboration with director Denis Villeneuve. He emphasized that everything felt sacred, driving him to avoid complacency in his last outing in the franchise.

Key Points: Timothee Chalamet on 'Dune: Part Three' Intensity

  • Finale is "eeriest" chapter
  • Chalamet took "more liberty than ever"
  • Inspired by Oscar Isaac's Shakespearean approach
  • Studied set details intensely
  • Felt creatively energized post-Oscar noms
3 min read

"I was more intense on the third one...": Timothee Chalamet reflects on final 'Dune' film

Timothee Chalamet reveals why the final 'Dune' film is the "eeriest," discussing his intense approach and inspirations from Oscar Isaac.

"I was more intense on the third one. - Timothee Chalamet"

Washington, February 22

In a reflection on 'Dune: Part Three', Timothee Chalamet has described the upcoming finale of Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi trilogy as the "eeriest" chapter yet, revealing he approached the film with a new level of intensity.

As per Variety, in an interview with CNN, Timothee Chalamet offered fresh insight into his portrayal of Paul Atreides. The third instalment of the franchise is set to open in theatres this December.

Chalamet initially referenced performances by Matthew McConaughey in 'Interstellar', 'Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight' and 'Marlon Brando' in 'Apocalypse Now' while discussing the creative risks of large-scale films.

However, he added, "Actually, wait, let me rephrase all of that! Hold up. I cannot put myself in that same boat," he said, adding, "Let's just say, it's these big movies where you could sneak in something. A curveball."

The actor credited Oscar Isaac, who played Leto Atreides in the first 'Dune' film, as a major inspiration. "He treated it in a Shakespearean way- to play it heightened and not really care about it being heightened," Chalamet said.

Watching Isaac encouraged him to take "more liberty than ever."

Reflecting on his early experience with the franchise, Chalamet admitted he felt intimidated during the first film. "I felt kind of thrown by the futurism," he said, noting that he had been coming off naturalistic dramas like 'Beautiful Boy' and 'Call Me by Your Name'.

"But especially on this third one, all the great stuff you see on screen is from freedom of movement and freedom of choice. And with Denis, we really had a good rhythm. It's the eeriest one. It's a big swing," he said during a conversation with CNN.

Chalamet also discussed revisiting the ornithopter sequence. "On 'Dune 3,' as opposed to the first movie, I came out early and studied the control panel- all sorts of hieroglyphics and things that aren't tethered to reality. I wanted to know what each button did, and invent a dynamic for myself with it," he said.

After earning Oscar nominations for 'Marty Supreme' and 'A Complete Unknown', Chalamet said he felt creatively energised while filming.

"Everything was sacred, and it was my last time doing a 'Dune' film," he said, adding, "I didn't want to be complacent about a single moment... I was more intense on the third one."

The town hall airs on CNN and streams on the CNN app on February 21 at 7 pm.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's interesting he mentions feeling intimidated by the futurism at first. Many Indian sci-fi films struggle with that balance too - making the future feel real and not just flashy. Villeneuve and Chalamet seem to have cracked it.
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, while I appreciate his intensity, I hope the story doesn't get lost in the "big swing" he mentions. The first two were visually stunning but sometimes the plot felt secondary. Fingers crossed for a satisfying conclusion to Paul's journey.
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Vikram M
The Shakespearean comparison by Oscar Isaac is spot on! Dune has that epic, almost mythological quality that reminds me of our own Mahabharata tales. Treating it with that heightened seriousness is the right approach. Bahut badhiya!
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Rohit P
December release means it's a perfect holiday season watch. Already planning a theatre trip with friends. Hope the VFX and scale are as grand as promised. The ornithopter sequences in Part One were mind-blowing.
K
Kavya N
It's nice to see an actor not get complacent, especially after so much success. Saying "everything was sacred" for his last time as Paul shows real passion. Hope our Indian film industry also encourages such detailed character work in big projects.

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