Chalamet and Zendaya Unveil Intense 'Dune: Part Three' Footage

The stars joined director Denis Villeneuve to tease the highly anticipated sci-fi sequel at CinemaCon.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:21am

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An abstract close-up image of shattered glass and glittering sand, captured in dramatic high-contrast lighting to convey the intense, emotional tone of the upcoming Dune sequel.The highly anticipated Dune: Part Three promises to deliver a thrilling, high-stakes conclusion to the sci-fi saga.Las Vegas Today

At CinemaCon in Las Vegas, the cast and director of Dune: Part Three, including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, and Denis Villeneuve, debuted the first seven minutes of intense battle footage from the upcoming sci-fi epic. The stars also teased more emotional and thrilling moments to come in the sequel, set 17 years after the events of Part Two.

Why it matters

The Dune franchise has become one of the most anticipated sci-fi sagas in recent years, with the first two films directed by Denis Villeneuve earning critical acclaim and strong box office returns. The unveiling of the Part Three footage at CinemaCon, a major industry event, builds hype and anticipation for the conclusion of the trilogy among both fans and exhibitors.

The details

The opening seven minutes of Dune: Part Three featured a massive battle sequence led by Javier Bardem's character Stilgar, with endless shots fired and intense action. Additional footage showed tense confrontations between Chalamet's Paul Atreides and Zendaya's Chani, as well as Momoa's character, a clone of Duncan Idaho, seeking redemption. Villeneuve described the film as a 'thriller' that is 'more intense and definitely more emotional' than previous installments.

  • Dune: Part Three is set to premiere in theaters on December 18, 2026.

The players

Timothée Chalamet

The acclaimed actor who plays the lead role of Paul Atreides in the Dune franchise.

Zendaya

The Emmy-winning actress who portrays the character of Chani in the Dune films.

Jason Momoa

The actor who is reprising his role as a clone of the character Duncan Idaho in Dune: Part Three.

Denis Villeneuve

The acclaimed director who has helmed the first two Dune films and is returning for the concluding Part Three.

Javier Bardem

The Oscar-winning actor who plays the role of Stilgar, the leader of the Fremen, in the Dune series.

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What they’re saying

“It's more intense and definitely more emotional.”

— Denis Villeneuve, Director

“He's become his worst vision.”

— Timothée Chalamet, Actor

“The years don't seem to have been kind to anyone on Dune. It's been an ungentle and unkind few years. There's so much left to fight for.”

— Zendaya, Actress

“I'm sent as a gift to Paul to see how he handles someone that he hasn't seen and see how he takes that.”

— Jason Momoa, Actor

“It was deeply moving to be on a sci-fi trilogy on the scale of Lord of the Rings.”

— Timothée Chalamet, Actor

What’s next

Dune: Part Three is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, where it will face off against Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday, in a highly anticipated box office showdown dubbed 'Dunesday' by exhibitors.

The takeaway

The Dune franchise has become a must-see sci-fi epic, with the concluding Part Three promising to deliver even more intense and emotional moments as the story of Paul Atreides' rise to power reaches its climax.