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 Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya
star in the hotly anticipated film, which hits
U.S. 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.
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 "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 humour, 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."
(Reporting by Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Editing by
Susan Fenton)
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