Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of “Dune” stands as a remarkable feat, split into two parts across three tumultuous years, including the unexpected interruption of a pandemic. The success of the second film, covering the latter half of Frank Herbert’s revered sci-fi novel, was far from assured. In an alternate reality, the initial movie might have failed to garner enough revenue to warrant Warner Bros. investing an additional $190 million on top of their already risky $165 million budget. Given that the peak of the books’ popularity occurred decades ago, there was skepticism about whether this expansive intergalactic saga could resonate with younger generations such as Millennials and Zoomers, who were merely a concept when David Lynch’s “Dune” debuted to disappointment in 1984.
Beyond managing the complexities of a colossal physical production, Villeneuve grappled with an extensive ensemble cast comprising established stars, up-and-coming talents, and Academy Award-winning icons. This couldn’t be a run-of-the-mill Hollywood blockbuster where actors are overshadowed by CGI; it had to be genuine cinema that resonated on a deeper level with audiences.
To achieve this, Villeneuve employed unique methods to connect with his actors. For lead actor Timothée Chalamet, it meant communicating in a shared language. Although Chalamet was born and raised primarily in New York City, his summers in his father’s native France granted him fluency in French, proving invaluable on the sets of both “Dune” films. In an interview with The New York Times, Villeneuve and Chalamet revealed that they conversed in French on set as a means of finding intimacy amidst the chaos—a second secret language, as Villeneuve described it.
This on-set intimacy translated into a compelling performance from Chalamet, who has since ascended to become one of the most sought-after movie stars, evidenced by the success of “Dune: Part Two” and his upcoming role in “Wonka.” It’s a testament to the power of connection and the importance of nurturing language skills, a sentiment echoed by Villeneuve and Chalamet. So, aspiring actors, take note: cultivate your language abilities, as they may just pave the way to your own stellar career, much like Timothée Chalamet’s.
