Denis Villeneuve’s Dune brought Arrakis back to theaters. Now the director is bringing a Hollywood legend to the spicy fantasy world for the second half of his big budget adaptation. The new trailer for Dune: Part Two finally introduces Christopher Walker as the Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV. But he’s just one of the big names, both old and new, that will star in a film that looks even more epic than its predecessor.
As much as we want to focus on seeing nine-level CHEOPS chess in this trailer, there’s too much going on in this promo to plan an intergalactic board game night. (We’re always up for that though, FYI.) From shots of the Harkonnen home world of Geidi Prime and Austin Butler’s deadly Feyd-Rautha, to Gurney Halleck’s reunion with Paul and the new head of House Atreides’ guerilla war on Arrakis, this trailer is our best look yet at the film. Plus, you know, Christopher freaking Walken!
But the most intriguing aspect of this trailer is how much it focuses on Paul’s status as a possible messiah figure. How many truly believe he is? How many only do so because the Bene Gesserit led them to think that? And what awaits Paul as he wages war? The film’s official synopsis offers a clue at the decision he will have to make:
This follow-up film will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
Even without Walken this would be an epic trailer. But obviously he makes it even better, which will almost certainly be true of the movie, too.
Dune: Part Two also stars Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya. Also returning are; Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin Stephen McKinley Henderson, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, and Charlotte Rampling. Also joining the series are Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux, and Souheila Yacoub. The sequel comes to theaters this fall on November 3, 2023.
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