The second trailer for Denis Villeneuve's David Lynch directed a 1984 Dune feature film which was criticized as incomprehensible to those who hadn't read the book, but too different for those who had. Villeneuve took on the project after directing Blade Runner: 2049, another ambitious sci-fi epic, but an original story building on that film's predecessor – he might have been warming up to Dune, the most hotly anticipated sci-fi movie since Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
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 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.
