In London, Mexico or Paris, in South Korea or the USA, Denis Villeneuve, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, but also Léa Seydoux, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard and Dave Bautista reveal some of the secrets of Dune: Part Twothe most anticipated film of the winter.
Quebec director Denis Villeneuve at a press conference in Seoul, South Korea, on February 21. AFP
What does it say? Dune: Part Two?
“I have tried to remain as true as possible to the wishes of Frank Herbert, whose intention was to warn against charismatic people and provide a cautionary tale about cults. “Dune” is the story of a young man who has to find his way, who has to get rid of his genetic inheritance in order to find freedom through his education. And in this second film we see him confront those questions.”
Denis Villeneuve, Seoul, February 21st
THE ACTORS TALK ABOUT THEIR CHARACTERS
How do you define Paul Atreides?
Timothée Chalamet on February 21st in Seoul. AFP
“In the first film, Paul is a privileged boy, son of Leto, a king's son. And in the second film, Paul not only becomes a man, but is also accepted by the Fremen, accepted in his love for Chani. Without a whistleblower, he becomes a leader himself.”
Timothée Chalamet, Paris, February 13th
The crucial scene for Dame Jessica?
“Without a doubt, the transformation of Lady Jessica into the Reverend Mother and the process she must go through. I had the entire day of filming circled, underlined and highlighted in my diary. It's probably the most rewarding scene I've shot in a long time. Some elements were not retained in the editing, we were working with contortionists… the scene looked like The Exorcist.
Rebecca Ferguson, for the Collider website, February 8
What happens to Chani?
Zendaya also in Seoul. AFP
“What I particularly appreciated about the work Denis did with Chani in Dune: Part II is that he gave her convictions and a heart of her own. In the book she never questions the fact that Paul is the Messiah. I liked that Denis explored his character and found an identity for him, it was a little more complicated to play.
Zendaya on Entertainment Weekly, February 20
Who is Princess Irulan?
“For the first time in my career I'm playing an incredibly calculating character, you never really know what she's thinking. I loved that aspect of the character and the way we watched her observe her surroundings…until the final scene where we realize she's completely aware of everything.
Florence Pugh, Mexico City, February 5
How did you transform into Feyd-Rautha?
Just like Austin Butler, also present in South Korea. “Photo Anthony Wallace/AFP”
“Denis explained to me that Feyd-Rautha had to be physically impressive, so I knew straight away that I had to train. And it changes the way we walk, the way we feel in our bodies. Gaining weight will make you feel more grounded. Then I developed his fighting style with the stunt team and fight trainer in Los Angeles. Then I thought about his childhood, about the violence in which he grew up, about this constant struggle for power.
Austin Butler, Mexico City, February 5
What do we know about Margot Fenring?
“My character has a very special relationship with Feyd-Rautha. There is great erotic tension between them. She has a mission – I won't give everything away – and she will achieve her goals. She’s a very mysterious character, she’s very enigmatic.”
Léa Seydoux, Paris, February 13th
What did the role of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen require of you?
Stellan Skarsgard answers questions from the Korean press. AFP
“The filming itself was a pleasure. Having to sit in a chair for eight hours to transform into a baron was extremely painful. I felt this huge body, my throat became thick and I felt the character coming out of me. We move differently, we become threatening with a costume like that.”
Stellan Skarsgard for Landmark Cinemas website, February 17
How did Gurney Halleck develop?
Josh Brolin on February 18 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. AFP
“He feels like he's lost his family, his heart is in pieces, he's angry and he's in a bad mood. He tries to express his feelings through his ballista. Then he finds Paul.
Josh Brolin, London, February 16
BEHIND THE CAMERA
Why use black and white for certain scenes?
Denis Villeneuve and his producer Tanya Lapointe on February 21 in Seoul, South Korea. “Photo Anthony Wallace/AFP”
“I wanted to film Giedi Prime [NDLR: la planète des Harkonnen] in black and white and I talked to Greg about it [Fraser, le directeur de la photographie] who was immediately enthusiastic. “It was he who suggested I take photographs in infrared, with the idea of creating a feeling of frightening unreality, where the skin becomes translucent and the eyes become black and aggressive,” explained Denis Villeneuve on Fox 5 Washington. DC.
What language do the Fremen speak?
The writer Frank Herbert describes Chakobsa, the language of the Fremen, but without using it. Denis Villeneuve had the idea of having this imaginary language developed by linguist David J. Peterson (the creator of the Dothraki in the Game of Thrones series). “All the actors attended the Fremen school. “I’m not kidding, the actors took weeks to learn the language and arrived on set speaking it fluently,” the filmmaker told Entertainment Weekly.
How did Denis Villeneuve convince Hans Zimmer to compose the music?
“I read the novel when I was 14 or 15 and I waited a very long time for this film to be made. I remember we were at Warner Studios [à Los Angeles] when Denis asked me if I had heard of the book Dune. And I went crazy. And here we go! To get there you have to roll up your sleeves and get to work… and work with someone like Denis Villeneuve, who is very inspiring.”
Hans Zimmer, London, February 16th
Dune: Part II hits theaters worldwide – and IMAX screens – on March 1st.