Zendaya’s Chani Unveils a Battle-Ready Look in ‘Dune: Part Three’

Avatar photoValentina Kraljik
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Chani has always been the heart of Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune‘ saga. In the first film, she primarily appears as a figure in Paul’s visions, a Fremen girl destined to be found. By ‘Dune: Part Two’, she evolves into a fully realized warrior and the moral compass of the narrative.

This development leads to a painful twist. At the conclusion of ‘Dune: Part Two’, Paul initiates a holy war and agrees to marry Princess Irulan for political gain, leaving Chani horrified. She walks away from him, feeling betrayed, and this emotional wound is central to the final chapter.

Now, Zendaya’s Chani sports a striking new appearance. Empire has unveiled an exclusive image of Zendaya in ‘Dune: Part Three’, depicting her crouched low in the desert sand. She dons a dust-streaked stillsuit, her hair pulled back, and her gaze cautiously directed off-camera. This presents a stark contrast to the ethereal visions from the earlier films.

The image conveys a narrative of its own. Chani is poised for action, her weight balanced on one knee, with sand clinging to her gear. This posture suggests readiness for conflict, aligning with the trailer’s portrayal of her gearing up for battle.

This look also aligns with the cover of Empire’s December issue. One cover variant features Chani on the warpath, with Paul looming large behind her. Inside, the magazine includes an exclusive interview with Zendaya discussing the personal betrayal Chani grapples with, available for purchase on October 22.

The film is set 17 years after ‘Part Two’, with Paul now ruling as Emperor and married to Irulan. The trailer reveals a furious Chani, and an early scene depicts her as pregnant before she departs from him. Villeneuve has described the story as focusing on Paul and Chani, whose relationship is strained by external pressures.

Chalamet has referred to Chani’s betrayal at the end of the second film as a crucial moment. Villeneuve has also shifted more attention onto her character. He told Empire that while the film shares the same essence as its predecessors, it is “a very different movie” with a unique pacing.

Zendaya’s bond with this universe is profound. She has expressed that these films have allowed her to mature throughout her 20s and has shown gratitude for being part of them. Additionally, she has mentioned her desire to work more with Florence Pugh, hoping for more scenes together after sharing only one distant moment in the previous film.

The filming process has been demanding. The production returned to Abu Dhabi, where the Liwa desert once again represented Arrakis. An entire village was reportedly constructed in the desert, employing over 1,000 people for the film.

The stillsuit has posed its own challenges. Zendaya previously mentioned that changing out of the suit took at least 10 minutes and wished it included a cooling system. This highlights that the allure of the image comes at a significant cost.

This image caps off a remarkable year for Zendaya. She starred in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’, which has surpassed $1.7 billion globally, and reprised her role as MJ in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’, which has grossed over $2.5 billion. She also featured in A24’s ‘The Drama’ and is now set to lead in Alex Garland’s upcoming sci-fi film.

‘Dune: Part Three’ is set to release on December 18 from Warner Bros. and Legendary, adapting Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune Messiah’. With Chalamet, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson, Florence Pugh, and Jason Momoa all part of the ensemble, the film promises a darker, more emotional conclusion to the saga. Zendaya’s Chani appears ready to take center stage.

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