The highly anticipated science-fiction blockbuster adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal novel tells the story of warring families and factions seeking power and control over valuable resources, namely that of spice melange, which has mysterious powers and effects when consumed by humans. The main narrative follows Paul Atreides, a young man, and son of Leto, who has been made Governor of the desert planet Arrakis – which is the ‘Dune’ of the title – by the Emperor. The Atreides family, also including Leto’s partner Jessica, suspect they are being led into a trap by rival family the Harkonnens, and meet the native Arrakeen Fremen, who believe Paul and Jessica can help lead them to freedom. Dune has a huge cast of big names, led by Timothée Chalamet as Paul, Zendaya as the Fremen woman Chani, Oscar Isaac as Leto, Rebecca Ferguson as Jessica, Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Harkonnen, Jason Momoa as warrior Duncan Idaho, Josh Brolin as another warrior Gurney Halleck. Also in the cast are Dave Bautista, Javier Bardem, David Dastmalchian, Charlotte Rampling, Chen Chang, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and more.
It’s been a rocky road to release for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, with its release date shifting due to restrictions and closed cinemas during the Covid-19 pandemic. This installment of Dune is intended to be the first of two movies, with a second yet to enter production – potentially to allow leads Chalamet and Zendaya to age into their roles before returning to shooting. With the second trailer showing much about the story, characters, and settings of Dune, Here’s a breakdown of every reveal.
Zendaya’s Chani Introduces Arrakis, Aka Dune
“My planet Arrakis is so beautiful when the sun is low… rolling over the sands, you can see spice in the air.” Intriguingly, Zendaya as Chani the Fremen (instead of main character Paul) introduces viewers to the trailer, and immediately mentions both the planet of the title and one of the key elements of the story: spice. What viewers are seeing here is probably snippets of Paul Atreides’ dreams (more on that later). Chani has the characteristic glowing blue eyes of the Fremen, and the camera pans over actual sand dunes, showing the reddish glint of spice, the resource that makes Arrakis so important. Spice melange has a number of uses, including making interstellar travel possible, and augmenting the abilities of certain people.
Dune Might Tackle Colonialism
Next, the trailer shows a spaceship hovering over the sands of Arrakis, with two people looking on. The trailer then flashes scenes of aggression against the local Fremen, with Chani continuing her narration: “The outsiders ravage our lands in front of our eyes.” Speaking as one of the indigenous Fremen of Arrakis, Chani would be referring to the colonialism and seizing of resources suffered on her planet, hinting that Villeneuve’s Dune might confront the deeper themes of colonialism and abuse of native peoples. The trailer shows the ship launching explosives, and many people (who could be assumed to be Fremen) dying as a result.
Introducing The Harkonnen Forces
Chani goes on to say, “Their cruelty to my people is all I’ve known.” At the same time, viewers see Dave Bautista’s Glossu “Beast” Rabban, an agent of the Harkonnens, looking menacing, followed by a series of shots demonstrating the horrors committed against the Fremen, including piles of burning bodies, captives, bloody daggers, and Chani and her people fleeing.
What’s To Become Of Arrakis?
“What’s to become of our world?” Chani continues to narrate, as the trailer shows Arrakis from space, with a scattering of ships nearby – probably the arrival of House Atreides from their homeworld of Caladan. This is echoed in the following scenes, which finally bring the hero of Dune into frame.
Paul Dreams Of Chani And Arrakis
Chani whispers, “Paul,” and the Dune trailer shifts perspective to Timothée Chalamet’s character. He sits up suddenly in bed, as though awakened by Chani’s whisper. At this point Paul is still on Caladan with the rest of House Atreides. And he soon reveals the connection he feels to the planet that will become his home, and the people he will live among.
“Duncan, Can I Trust You With Something?”
After a brief glimpse of a ship racing over a watery planet that cannot be Arrakis – it must be Caladan – Paul welcomes the ship’s pilot, Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa), and asks for advice. He’s been seeing the planet Arrakis and a Fremen girl, Chani, in his dreams, and he doesn’t know what they mean. “Dreams make good stories,” replies Duncan. “Everything important happens when we’re awake.” Turns out the relationship between Paul and Chani will go on to be incredibly important, so this is some vital foreshadowing for Paul’s future.
Dune Will Feature Humor, For Better Or Worse
Herbert’s original novel is not known for its humor. But this scene between Paul and Duncan hints at a more contemporary, blockbuster-audience-friendly take on Dune. It may also be a learning taken by Villeneuve from Blade Runner: 2049‘s lackluster box-office performance. With this and another scene featuring Josh Brolin hinting at some humor balancing the dour themes of the novel, it could be that audiences are in for a more light-hearted ride with this take on the story, or at least some levity might lighten the story between the action.
“We Are House Atreides”
As a spherical spaceship lands on a forested planet – again, likely Caladan – Duke Leto Atreides provides a voiceover, saying, “We are House Atreides. There is no call we do not answer, there is no faith that we betray.” The next scenes also show several key characters, and what will likely be a pivotal scene covering events that kick off House Atreides’ move to Arrakis. The spherical ship likely contains the Emperor’s emissary, whom Leto, Lady Jessica, and a military parade welcome to Caladan. Leto and Jessica’s furtive glances suggest they worry about the tidings to be brought by this messenger. Leto’s mention of faith could also foreshadow a plot point that will be relevant for Paul and Jessica when they come to meet the Fremen.
More Dune Characters: Gurney Halleck, Leto Atreides, Thufir Hawat
The trailer offers more character glimpses, at Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin), Leto Atreides, and Thufir Hawat (Stephen McKinley Henderson). They’re part of the welcoming party for the emissary, who is shown arriving with decorum to hand over some kind of scroll – potentially House Atreides’ orders relating to Arrakis. More humor here, with Leto prompting Gurney to smile. Gurney, face set in a dour pout, ripostes with, “I am smiling.”
Related: How Villeneuve’s Dune Can Avoid Blade Runner 2049’s Box Office Failure
Gurney And Paul Practice Combat With Shields
The second Dune trailer showed a glimpse of Gurney Halleck and Paul Atreides sparring, using the distinctive shields from the novel. The shields protect the user from high-velocity attacks, including bullets and slashes. One of the most famous lines from Herbert’s novel is, “The slow blade penetrates the shield,” which has a practical meaning here, but also thematic resonance throughout the story. There will most certainly be at least one dramatic scene with a key character being stabbed slowly through their shield.
The Emperor’s Emissary Meets With House Atreides
The emissary of Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV of House Corrino greets House Atreides, surrounded by masked people – potentially members of the order of Bene Gesserit, a matriarchal order with special powers. Everyone involved in the ceremony appears to have grave concerns about what’s going on here, hinting that some involved might have a broader knowledge of why House Atreides is being sent to Arrakis, a key element of the plot.
Faster-Than-Light Travel Revealed: Space Folding
A small ship travels through space, using the distinctive form of faster-than-light (FTL) travel from the Dune novel. It’s called Space Folding, and provides almost instantaneous travel between two points. The large shape is probably a Spacing Guild Spacefolder vessel, which provides the transport for the smaller, egg-shaped ship. In the novel, the Spacing Guild holds a monopoly over this function, as their Navigators, who use spice to enhance their abilities, allow for safe FTL travel in this way.
House Atreides Arrives on Arrakis
Several quick shots establish House Atreides arriving on Arrakis, with the harsher yellow-orange light, the dusty, sandy haze, and dry weather indicating the change of location from lush Caladan. “The Emperor asks us to bring peace to Arrakis. House Atreides accepts!” says Leto, getting the plot moving.
Paul And Chani Meet
“I know you,” says Paul, letting Chani in on the secret that he’s been dreaming about her from another planet. These two will have a big future together, and this moment. “There’s something awakening in my mind,” he continues, hinting at the part he’s to play in the future of the Fremen and Arrakis. Chani wears a Stillsuit, clothing designed to minimize water waste in the deserts of Arrakis. It collects and recycles all water (yes, all of it) released by the body, even through exhalation (via the nose tube), ready for recycling and drinking again.
Lady Jessica Atreides On Arrakis
Jessica Atreides (Rebecca Ferguson) has an incredibly important role in Dune, as mother of Paul, concubine of Leto, and a Bene Gesserit. She goes on to become even more on Arrakis, alongside her son, and the trailer shows a snapshot of her performing some kind of ritual, her eyes glowing the same blue as the Fremen.
“You Need To Face Your Fears”
Chani counsels Paul, saying, “You need to face your fears.” This may refer to the potential he will develop throughout the movie, or to the confrontation hinted at as he holds a Chrysknife (created from the tooth of one of the sandworms of Arrakis) above his head. In the novel, it’s not a smooth transition for the Atreides to be welcomed to Arrakis by the Fremen, and Paul has a few tests to get through before he can live among them.
Invasion Or Peaceful Defense Of Arrakis?
Atreides ships arrive on Arrakis and deploy many troops – but it looks more like an invasion than a peace-keeping force. Paul himself looks apprehensive as he walks among the ships. This scene may hint further at the exploration of themes of colonialism in the movie.
The Harkonnens Are The Brutal Enemies Of House Atreides
“You’ve not met Harkonnens before, they’re not human, they’re brutal!” growls Gurney Halleck during his training session with Paul. This coincides with shots of Harkonnen-aligned troops preparing for battle, strange rituals, and excellent, outlandish costumes.
Paul Uses His Powers
Over the course of Dune, Paul uses and refines certain powers – including some Bene Gesserit training given to him by his mother, Jessica. This scene hints at him using these powers.
The Atreides Doctor Has A Menacing Diagnosis
While giving Paul a physical in the presence of Jessica, Dr Wellington Yueh (Chen Chang) says, “The Duke’s son sees too much.” He’s likely referring to Paul’s Bene Gesserit abilities, and their development.
David Dastmalchian’s Piter de Vries Revealed
David Dastmalchian (The Suicide Squad, Ant-Man) plays the schemer Piter de Vries, a Mentat – someone who has abilities that took the place of computers. Piter de Vries is a special kind of Mentat, with a prominent role to play in the story.
Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Harkonnen
The primary antagonist of the story is fully revealed in the second Dune trailer. Stellan Skarsgård plays Baron Harkonnen, who schemes against House Atreides. He’s super tall in the trailer due to his personal suspensors, which help his large, aged, body move, though his costume covers the suspensors in this shot, giving him an eerie, supernatural look.
The Invasion Of Arrakis
“This is my Dune. Kill them all,” says Harkonnen in the trailer, over images of the Atreides ships spectacularly exploding. Everyone on Arrakis looks entirely surprised to be caught out in this way.
House Atreides Reacts To The Harkonnen Attack
Several ornithopters – insect-like flying vehicles – take off amid more explosions. The following scenes show House Atreides attempting to react to the Harkonnen attack, with more ornithopters, Gurney yelling to get their guns in the air, and Duncan Idaho saying, “Let’s fight like demons.” One shot shows Paul flying an ornithopter.
Duncan Idaho Battles An Unknown Opponent
Similar to Gurney and Paul’s earlier confrontation, but deadly (if the pile of bodies is anything to go by) Duncan Idaho battles an unknown opponent. It indicatea that Jason Momoa likely has a very physical role in Dune, which would fit with the reputation and story of the character from the books.
Duke Leto And Paul Atreides Share A Moment
Taking a moment before they leave Caladan to connect, Paul and Leto discuss Paul’s suitability as heir of House Atreides. “Dad, what if I’m not the future of House Atreides?” asks Paul, likely inspired by his visions of Arrakis. Leto replies, “A great man doesn’t seek to lead. He’s called to it. But if your answer is ‘no,’ you’ll still be the only thing I ever needed you to be: My son.”
The Legendary Sandworms Of Dune (& Their Fremen Riders)
Perhaps the most famous element of Frank Herbert’s Dune is the Sandworm, the enormous indigenous creatures that live in the sandy deserts, and are ridden by the Fremen – who keep the methods for doing so secret. A Sandworm was revealed in the first Dune trailer, but this trailer gives another look, as well as hinting at something more. A Fremen stands atop a sand dune, holding two maker hooks, tools used to capture, subdue, ride, and control a Sandworm (or “maker” as they call them) on Arrakis.
Paul Atreides Leads A Militant Force
Clad in golden armor and with the blue eyes of the Fremen, Paul Atreides leads a force in combat, presumably against their Harkonnen foes. A brief shot shows the guerilla fighting style of the Fremen as they emerge from beneath the sands of Arrakis. This scene is likely towards the end of the movie, after Paul has matured and come to terms with the events he’s been through, and become closer to the Fremen of Arrakis.
Chani And Paul Atreides Stand Side By Side
The final shot of the trailer, probably drawn from somewhere near the end of Denis Villeneuve’s first Dune movie, shows Chani and Paul standing side by side, without their still suits. Paul has the blue eyes of the Fremen, and they’re surrounded by others. The pair are looking ambitiously at something, and this scene probably shows Paul’s personal growth and alignment, as well as suggesting what could occur in the sequel to Dune. It’s one of the many character, story, and secret reveals in the second Dune trailer – which is embedded below.
Key Release Dates
- Dune (2021)Release date: Oct 01, 2021
