Director Villeneuve Hopes to Win over Fans Old and New with 'Dune' Film

Actor Actor Timothee Chalamet and director Denis Villeneuve at the 78th Venice Film Festival. (Reuters)
Actor Actor Timothee Chalamet and director Denis Villeneuve at the 78th Venice Film Festival. (Reuters)
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Director Villeneuve Hopes to Win over Fans Old and New with 'Dune' Film

Actor Actor Timothee Chalamet and director Denis Villeneuve at the 78th Venice Film Festival. (Reuters)
Actor Actor Timothee Chalamet and director Denis Villeneuve at the 78th Venice Film Festival. (Reuters)

Denis Villeneuve hopes to win over fans of Frank Herbert's epic 1965 science fiction novel "Dune" as well as introduce new ones to the story with his mammoth movie adaptation, the most challenging production of the Canadian director's career.

Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya star in the hotly anticipated film, which hits US and UK cinemas later this month and follows past attempts to take Herbert's 400-page book to the silver screen.

Set in the future where noble families rule planetary fiefs, the story follows Paul Atreides (Chalamet), whose father takes on the stewardship of planet Arrakis, known as Dune to its native Fremen people and contested for its unique spice commodity found in its inhospitable desert.

"It was by far the most challenging thing I've done in my life," Villeneuve, known for "Blade Runner 2049" and "Sicario", told Reuters.

"I had to find an equilibrium between the people who had read the book ... I wanted them to really feel that it was a profound homage to the spirit of the book. At the same time, I wanted people who knew nothing about the book to feel welcome in the world, not left aside."

The two-and-a-half-hour movie, described as part one of the story, is Chalamet's biggest project to date, something he says helped him relate to character Paul overcoming his fears.

"(I've) never been on a project of this size before," Chalamet said. "Sometimes the things you're feeling on set can bleed into the natural arc or progression of a story."

Villeneuve's "Dune" follows Alejandro Jodorowsky's unsuccessful attempt in the mid-1970s and David Lynch's critically-panned 1984 version.

With sweeping landscapes and dark mood, critics have lauded this film as a visual spectacle in reviews.

"It's a book that's been the source material for a lot of bigger ideas like 'Star Wars'," actor Josh Brolin, who plays weapons master Gurney, said.

"The movie's been done in different eras with different technological possibilities. And now we're in an era that's so technologically advanced we're able to see that version of it."

Javier Bardem, who plays Fremen tribe leader Stilgar, said the mood on set was relaxed.

"I never felt that pressure on (Villeneuve) when he was working with us," he said. "It's a huge one, and I wouldn't be able to hold it myself and have the humor, the joy and the attitude that he had on set."

Villeneuve said it was too early to talk about part two but Zendaya hopes her character Chani, who appears in Paul's visions, will be further explored.

"Anyone who's familiar with the books (knows) there’s so much to dive into and there's so much still to come," she said.

"It truly is only the beginning. So I do hope that we get to stay with these characters for a little bit longer."



Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone to Headline Coachella 2025

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 05: Lady Gaga performs before Democratic presidential nominee, US Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak during the closing rally of her campaign at the base of the iconic "Rocky Steps" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on November 05, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 05: Lady Gaga performs before Democratic presidential nominee, US Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak during the closing rally of her campaign at the base of the iconic "Rocky Steps" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on November 05, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
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Lady Gaga, Green Day, Post Malone to Headline Coachella 2025

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 05: Lady Gaga performs before Democratic presidential nominee, US Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak during the closing rally of her campaign at the base of the iconic "Rocky Steps" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on November 05, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 05: Lady Gaga performs before Democratic presidential nominee, US Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to speak during the closing rally of her campaign at the base of the iconic "Rocky Steps" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on November 05, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Lady Gaga, Green Day and Post Malone will headline 2025's Coachella music and arts festival, organizers said Wednesday, while Travis Scott will play a special guest slot.

Missy Elliott, Charli XCX and Megan Thee Stallion will also feature at the major event in the California desert that kicks off the music festival circuit, AFP reported.

Coachella takes place over two three-day weekends in the spring, this year April 11-13 and 18-20.

The line-up reveal came months earlier than usual, one day after Post Malone slipped in his own tour schedule release that he'd be playing concerts during the anticipated festival dates in Indio.

Scott's performance will come four years after he was slated to headline the 2020 festival, which was ultimately scrapped due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

South Africa's Tyla will perform at the 2025 edition after pulling out last year due to an injury.

Other acts of interest include famed conductor Gustavo Dudamel along with the LA Philharmonic, along with a return to the desert for Brazil's Anitta and electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk.

Last year's festival was headlined by Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat and Tyler, the Creator. It also featured a special reunion performance from No Doubt.

Taylor Swift was also an overwhelming presence at the grounds flanked by the San Jacinto Mountains in 2024 -- although as a spectator, not a performer.