Dune: Part Twostar Zendaya explains how she experienced heatstroke while filming the acclaimed sci-fi blockbuster. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, who also directed 2021’sDune, the sequel hit theaters earlier this year, following Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides as he becomes a leader of the Fremen on Arrakis.Dune: Part Tworeviews were overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise levied at Zendaya’s performance as Chani, Paul’s Fremen lover.
Though Zendaya was a highlight of the film, she now reveals that filming the movie in the deserts of Jordan came with some challenges. In a recent interview withW Magazine, the actor reveals that she got heatstroke during filming because she wasn’t drinking enough water.Zendaya explains that she was trying to avoid having to use the bathroom, which is quite an ordeal while wearing a stillsuit costume. Check out Zendaya’s recollection of the experience below:
We were in Jordan. It was very hot, and I remember thinking, Oh, man, the bathrooms are so far away," because we had to hike to the locations. If you have to pee, you need at least 10 minutes to get out of the costumes. I was like, Damn, I don’t want to drink too much water. I had such a fear of peeing myself or sh-tting myself, honestly, in the suit on set.
One day, I didn’t drink enough and I had a heatstroke. I felt so barfy. I remember calling my mom on the bathroom floor, saying, “I feel terrible.” She was like, “Did you drink water today?” I said no. I thought I was being smart, but you may’t do that. So, lesson learned.
What Filming In Jordan Meant For Dune: Part Two
The Decision Paid Off In A Big Way
Filming in an actual desert obviously brought with it a number of challenges, but it clearly also benefitedDune: Part Two. As with the first installment,Villeneuve’s depiction of the planet of Arrakis is a major strength of the movie, and it just wouldn’t have looked the same had they shot it in front of a green screen.Dune: Part Two’s desert filmingmade Arrakis feel like a real place, and this is undoubtedly part of the reason why the sequel has a 92% critics' score and 95% audience score onRotten Tomatoes.
Dune’s Key Planets Explained: What Arrakis & Caladan Are
Caladan, home to the noble Atreides family, and Arrakis, a brutal desert planet with a vital resource, are central to Dune’s story and the 2021 movie.
Much ofDune: Part Two’s runtime is spent in the desert, and it’s here where Paul and Chani’s love develops, and where Paul truly becomes a Fremen. The desert, however, isn’t just a passive setting in the movie, andthe challenges of living in such a place play a role in the narrative, particularly the sandworms and the lack of water. Filming in the real deserts of Jordan evidently helped to make this environment feel both beautiful and inhospitable.
Our Take On Zendaya’s Heatstroke Experience Making Dune: Part Two
Her Performance As Chani Is A Major Highlight
TheDune: Part Twoendingfocuses in on Chani and her rage at Paul’s betrayal, andit’s clear that she will play an important role in the announcedDune: Part Three. The third film is currently in the script stage and is tentatively expected to hit theaters in December 2026, but it wouldn’t be surprising if it ends up being pushed back into 2027. In any case, Zendaya will certainly be reprising her role, and audiences can expect some friction between Chani and Paul in the next installment.
Dune: Part Threewill be adapting the events of Frank Herbert’sDune: Messiah, which picks up the story after a 12-year time jump.
Even though Zendaya was evidently struggling during the making of the sequel, it clearly didn’t affect her performance.Chani ultimately becomes one of the most memorable parts of the movie, and it will be exciting to see how her story unfolds inDune: Part Three. Thankfully, it also sounds like Zendaya will be staying properly hydrated during any desert filming for the follow-up toDune: Part Two.
Dune: Part Two
Cast
Dune: Part Two continues the epic saga of Paul Atreides as he allies with Chani and the Fremen. Pursuing retribution for his family’s devastation, Paul grapples with a significant decision impacting his personal desires and the universe’s future, attempting to avert a dire destiny that only he anticipates.
