Timothée Chalamet on Ageing and Authority in Dune: Part Three

Timothée Chalamet has offered a glimpse into what audiences can expect from the next chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s science fiction epic. The third instalment, set well over a decade after the previous events, will see Chalamet return as Paul Atreides, now shaped by the burdens of command and the passage of time.

During a recent interview, Chalamet reflected on the evolution of his character.

“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 remarked, suggesting a notable transformation in Paul’s demeanour and outlook.

Shifting Tone and Creative Challenges

When pressed on how these changes might influence the overall feel of the film, 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 realising 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.”

He went on to express admiration for Villeneuve’s approach, noting,

“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'.”

The director’s commitment to tackling the complexities of a trilogy was, in Chalamet’s view, rather impressive.

Contrasting Roles and Distinct Worlds

Chalamet also touched on the experience of working on two vastly different projects in quick succession. He recently completed filming for both Dune: Part Three and Marty Supreme, a period piece set in 1950s New York. The actor explained that the stark contrast between the roles made the process more manageable.

“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 continued,

“They are such different roles and the tones of the film couldn’t be more different. A high-wire, Safdie brother, New York, 1950s period piece about a borderline delusional, ambitious character in contrast to a Denis Villeneuve sci-fi epic space opera.”

This clear distinction, he suggested, allowed him to fully inhabit each character without overlap.

Returning Cast and New Faces

Production on the third Dune film wrapped up last month, with Chalamet joined by familiar faces including Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Josh Brolin, Christopher Walken, and Jason Momoa. The cast also welcomes Robert Pattinson in a new role. The story adapts Frank Herbert’s Dune: Messiah, placing Paul at the centre of a galaxy-wide conflict as the Fremen face off against powerful political forces vying for control of the Spice.

Dune: Part Three is scheduled for release on 18 December 2026, promising a fresh perspective on the saga’s central figure as he navigates the consequences of power and legacy.