Timothée Chalamet Teases a Changed Paul Atreides in Dune: Part Three
Timothée Chalamet shares that Dune: Part Three will showcase an older, more burdened Paul Atreides, exploring the impact of years spent as a leader. The film, set 15-20 years after the last installment, promises a fresh perspective on the iconic character.
Timothée Chalamet has offered a glimpse into what fans can expect from the next chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic. In Dune: Part Three, the story jumps ahead by 15 to 20 years, and Chalamet steps into the shoes of a more seasoned Paul Atreides. The actor, while promoting his latest film Marty Supreme, opened up about the evolution of his character and the new direction the saga is taking.
Paul Atreides Faces the Weight of Leadership
Chalamet explained that this time around, he’s portraying a version of Paul who has been deeply shaped by years at the helm.
“Without giving too much away about Dune: Part Three, but I am playing older. And also someone who's been impacted by years of leadership and carries that weight. It 's different,”
he shared. The time jump means audiences will see a protagonist who’s not only matured but also carries the scars and responsibilities that come with power.
When asked about how this shift would influence the film’s overall feel, Chalamet was careful not to reveal too much.
“I don't want to say too much. But what I will say is Denis' been so incredibly spot on about realizing the challenge. I mean, a lot of the creative conversations Denis and I had – which are really his creative corner, and worldview and script development that I really have little to do with – were well aware of the challenges of making a third film.”
Creative Challenges and Artistic Growth
Chalamet went on to reflect on the unique hurdles that come with making a third installment, especially after the first two movies were so well received.
“And I thought it was inspiring from an artist's point of view, not necessarily from an acting one, but from an artist's point of view, to go, 'Wow, look at this guy really meet the challenges of a third film head on, when the first two have been well-received',”
he said, praising Villeneuve’s vision and determination.
The actor also discussed the contrast between his roles in Marty Supreme and the upcoming Dune film, noting how the differences helped him keep each performance distinct.
“Had the roles been similar, it might have been more complicated. I’d have thought, ‘Oh, man… How do I not let these roles bleed into each other?’”
he admitted. The two projects, he said, couldn’t be more different in tone or style.
Returning Cast and New Faces
Chalamet recently wrapped filming on the third Dune movie, working alongside familiar faces like Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Josh Brolin, Christopher Walken, and Jason Momoa. The cast also welcomes Robert Pattinson in a new role. This installment adapts Frank Herbert’s Dune: Messiah, with Paul now at the center of a galaxy-wide conflict as the Fremen battle for control of the Spice against powerful political forces.
Dune: Part Three is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026. Fans eager for more can keep an eye on upcoming movie releases to stay in the loop on all the latest premieres.