Dune 2 is more of an action movie than Part One, teases Denis Villeneuve

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The director teases a "more muscular" Part Two

Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya in Dune: Part Two
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Dune 2 may have been delayed by nearly six months, but it looks like it will be more than worth the wait – director Denis Villeneuve has promised a sequel that's "more of an action movie" and "more muscular" than 2021's Part One.  

"The first movie was more meditative and contemplative. We were following a young man discovering a new planet, a new culture," Villeneuve says, as reported in the new 2024 preview issue of Total Film, which hits shelves this week. "The second movie… it’s more of an action film than the first part. It’s more muscular." 

To that end, the director and his Oscar-winning cinematographer Greig Fraser shot 100% of Dune: Part Two with IMAX cameras (in contrast to just 35-40% of Part One) – the only way to do justice to the film’s enormovision worm-riding sequences. "It was, by far, one of the most technically complex scenes I have done in my life," Villeneuve notes of Paul’s trailer-teased first ride.

Timothée Chalamet is back as chosen one and rebel leader Paul Atreides, alongside other returning cast members Zendaya, Javier Bardem, and Rebecca Ferguson. They're also joined by some new faces including Léa Seydoux, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Austin Butler as the villainous Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. 

Dune: Part Two will be released on March 1, 2024. For much more on the movie, pick up a copy of the new issue of Total Film when it hits shelves on December 7. Inside, Total Film has a huge 2024 preview breakdown with exclusive insight into all of the biggest releases arriving in the new year. Check out the covers below:

Total Film's 2024 Preview and Review of the Year 2023

(Image credit: Total Film)

That's not all either, our 2023 Review of the Year supplement is also included, which features our round-up of the best films and TV shows of the year. Pre-order the issue here to bag your copy, or click here to subscribe to Total Film and never miss another exclusive. With our latest offer, you can get a JOBY Magnetic Wireless Charger worth £29.95 when you take out a print subscription.

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(Image credit: Total Film/Universal)
Jordan Farley
Jordan Farley
Managing Editor, Entertainment

I'm the Managing Editor, Entertainment here at GamesRadar+, overseeing the site's film and TV coverage. In a previous life as a print dinosaur, I was the Deputy Editor of Total Film magazine, and the news editor at SFX magazine. Fun fact: two of my favourite films released on the same day - Blade Runner and The Thing.

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