When you read Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi epic novel, “Dune,” it’s very easy to fall into the common thought that there’s no way a filmmaker could bring the story to life. This isn’t “Star Wars” or “Guardians of the Galaxy.” “Dune” is a deeply philosophical book about religion, politics, and war. And it’s led by a character that is supposed to be a teenage boy with knowledge and skills well beyond his years. Needless to say, Denis Villeneuve has a difficult task directing the upcoming “Dune.” But he believes he found the only person that could possibly lead the cast—Timothée Chalamet.
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In a profile of Timothée Chalamet over at GQ, Villeneuve raves about his young star and why the Oscar-nominated actor is the “one being on this planet” that would be able to play Paul Atreides in “Dune.”
Before even meeting with Chalamet, the filmmaker admitted that the actor was the “first and only choice” to play Paul Atreides. But for as memorable and top of mind as Chalamet was for Villeneuve during the development of the film, the director shared a story about the first time he met the young actor and how he embarrassingly forgot it was really the second time.
According to Villeneuve, when he met Chalamet for discussions about “Dune,” he said how excited he was to meet the actor. That’s when Chalamet reminded Villeneuve that the director auditioned him for “Prisoners” but he didn’t get the part.
“He did a great audition, but he didn’t physically fit the part,” the director remembered about the audition. “He was probably swearing at me because I didn’t take him.”
Though Chalamet wasn’t right for “Prisoners,” the actor seemed destined for “Dune” and the role of Paul. At least, that’s what it seems in the mind of Villeneuve.
“I felt there was one being on this planet right now that would be able to portray Paul Atreides,” Villeneuve said. “He has a deep, deep intelligence in the eyes. Something you cannot fake. The kid is brilliant. Very intellectual, very strong. And you see that in the eyes. He also has a very old soul. You feel that he has already lived through several lives. And at the same time, he looks so young on camera. Sometimes he’d look almost 14 years old. He has this kind of general youth in his features and the contrast with the old-soul quality in his eyes—it’s a kid that knows more about life than his age. Finally: He has that beautiful charisma, the charisma of a rock star. That Paul will lead the whole population of a planet later. Timothée has that kind of instant charisma onscreen that you can find only sometimes in the Old Hollywood stars from the ’20s. There’s something of a romantic beauty to him. A cross of aristocracy and being a bum at the same time. I mean, Timothée is Paul Atreides for me. It was a big relief that he agreed because I had no plan b.”
Thankfully for Vllenueve, the actor agreed to star in the new sci-fi epic and the rest is history. Now, we just have to wait a full year until we see “Dune” in October 2021.