‘I’ll Play A Tree.’ Zendaya’s Pitch For Landing A Role In Dune Is Funny And Relatable

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Over the last few years, Zendaya’s stardom has significantly escalated, and her breakout roles such as Rue in “Euphoria” and Chani in “Dune” have solidified her position among Hollywood’s top-tier talent. Currently, she is reminiscing about the filming of the “Dune” movies alongside Timothée Chalamet. She shared her enthusiasm for landing this role in what turned out to be one of the greatest sci-fi films and discussed the unique challenges faced during some of the most demanding scenes in the production.

The actress who played ‘Challengers’ shared insights about the demanding process of creating ‘Dune’ during a roundtable discussion with THR, revealing the meticulous attention to detail required to capture some of the film’s stunning shots. She particularly highlighted one challenging scene that posed difficulties due to tight time constraints when working with natural light. In her words:

In our production, we had one particular scene where sunlight limitations allowed us to film for just an hour daily. This left us pondering, “Alright, we were here yesterday, but how do we recapture that tender emotion and locate those intimate moments?” Initially, Director Denis [Villeneuve] would propose a technique he called a ‘glances pass.’ Essentially, this involved the actors merely looking at each other from across the room. I found this method incredibly powerful, as it conveyed so much without words. A simple glance between them served to weave the love story and make it feel authentic.

In my opinion, the setting was simply breathtaking, and Zendaya and Chalamet shared a remarkable on-screen chemistry. Their performances and palpable tension throughout the movie built up to some truly captivating moments. The desert backdrop was mesmerizing, and it’s almost unbelievable that they filmed it over multiple days. Words weren’t necessary for the powerful connection between the characters – it spoke volumes beyond what any dialogue could convey.

The entire Dune saga left an indelible impact on the actress, and she remains grateful for her involvement in both Dune and its critically acclaimed sequel, Dune: Part Two. Her affection for the process was so profound that she playfully suggested she’d be happy to contribute in any role, even playing a part as simple as interacting with a tree or one of the famed colossal sandworms. In her words:

“The experience of Dune has been nothing short of monumental for me, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been a part of both Dune and the highly-praised Dune: Part Two. My love for this journey runs so deep that if given the chance, I’d be willing to play any role – even talking to a tree or one of those legendary sandworms!

I couldn’t help but feel incredibly fortunate to be involved in it from the get-go. In fact, when I found out I’d be playing a tree or a sandworm, I was simply overjoyed and eagerly asked, “What more do you need from me? This is absolutely thrilling! I simply can’t wait to be a part of it.

This is hilarious and relatable, since it likely mirrors how many fans would react if given the chance to inhabit the world of Dune and become a part of such an extraordinary and distinct universe. It’s clear that Zendaya is living her dream. Even though we might wish she were portraying a tree or a sandworm (she’d undoubtedly excel at these roles too), I believe she’s perfectly suited for the Dune role that seems tailor-made for her.

As a movie enthusiast, I must say that Zendaya’s captivating performance as Chani in “Dune: Part 2” was nothing short of extraordinary. Her palpable chemistry with Timothée Chalamet and her commanding screen presence made it clear that she found her perfect fit in this role. The final scene, particularly heartrending, showcased Zendaya’s ability to delve deep into the character, making us feel every ounce of emotion. I eagerly anticipate more from Zendaya as Chani in “Dune: Messiah” and can hardly wait to witness more enchanting moments in the Dune universe that she will undoubtedly bring to life.

In the films “Dune” and “Dune: Part 2”, you’ll have the chance to watch Zendaya portray Chani, not as a tree or sandworm, with a Max subscription.

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2025-02-02 00:38