More star power is heading to Arrakis, as Anya Taylor-Joy has confirmed her involvement in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two. According to Variety, the Queen’s Gambit star will play a major character from the franchise, with details kept under wraps to prevent spoilers.
The announcement comes after the Emmy-nominated actor made a surprise appearance at the film’s world premiere in London alongside main leads Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya. Rumours of her casting resurfaced in the days leading up to the event, after fans came across her name in the cast list for the sequel on social media movie site Letterboxd. The credit has since been removed.
“It required so much work to keep that secret,” Villeneuve told EW. “Everybody signed with their blood.” Adding to the mystery, Taylor-Joy said during a live-streamed red-carpet interview, “Yes, you’ll have to see the film. This is probably one of the best movies I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
Her role in Dune: Part Two is the first of two Warner Bros.’ desert-set adventures. The star will take the lead in Furiosa, the Mad Max: Fury Road prequel, which races into theatres on 24 May.
Taylor-Joy’s casting adds to an already star-studded lineup, joining Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux, Souheila Yacoub and Christopher Walken as franchise newcomers. Returning members include Chalamet (Paul Atreides), Zendaya (Chani), Javier Bardem (Stilgar), Josh Brolin (Gurney Halleck), Dave Bautista (Glossu Rabban Harkonnen), Rebecca Ferguson (Lady Jessica Atreides), and Charlotte Rampling (Reverend Mother Mohiam), who all reprise their roles from 2021’s Dune.
Dune: Part Two releases 1 March. It will be Villeneuve’s longest movie to date, and is set to end with a trilogy despite the presence of more source material.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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