Dune 2: Timothée Chalamet reveals struggle filming scenes with Sandworms
Dune 2: Timothée Chalamet reveals struggle filming scenes with Sandworms. It took the actor months to complete the sequences with the giant gods of Arrakis.
By Staff
Dune: Part Two will hit theaters very soon, and the actors’ interviews with the press have revealed all the details that fans want to know.
During a new meeting with Screen Rant, Timothée Chalamet talks about the complexity of filming the scenes with the sandworms in the sequel, revealing that it took him months to complete the sequences.
Without a doubt, putting together creatures is not an easy task, neither in fiction nor on the film set.
What is the background of sandworms in Dune?
Sandworms are gigantic and dangerous creatures that inhabit the arid desert planet of Arrakis.
They are vital to the economy of the universe, as they produce the spice called “melange” or “the spice,” which is essential for space navigation and has psychoactive properties.
The sandworms are central to the plot, as the extraction of the spice and the fight for control of Arrakis are crucial elements in the story.
In addition to their economic importance, sandworms possess a unique culture and ecology, being worshiped and feared by the local inhabitants known as the Fremen.
These imposing creatures also have a symbolic and mythical role in the Dune mythology. They are considered sacred beings and, at the same time, represent the implacable and indomitable nature of the desert planet.
In the narrative, the sandworms embody the duality of Arrakis: an essential source of resources but also a hostile and ruthless environment.
The relationship between the characters and these creatures plays a pivotal role in developing the plot and exploring broader themes about power, ecology, and survival in the Dune universe.
How do you ride sandworms in Dune?
To ride the sandworms on Arrakis, the characters use what is called a “thumper” or “echo.” This device emits a loud, rhythmic sound that imitates the noise that sandworms make when moving under the surface of the desert.
Upon encountering this sound, the worms emerge, as they perceive it as a threat or a smaller creature trapped in the sand.
The characters, usually equipped with harnesses and ropes, wait for the worm to appear and, at the right moment, make sure to quickly climb onto its back before it sinks back into the sand.
The Paul Atreides actor reveals that it was very complicated to film the parts with the worms, a challenge for the character and the performer.
“It was practically a different and separate unit of the film.
We called it the Worm Unit, and they would take that unit in for 20 or 30 minutes at a time and allocate availability relative to the main production schedule. And it was impressive. We spent three months on what is ultimately a three-minute sequence.
It may seem silly, but it’s actually one of the most defining moments for Paul Atreides in his journey. It is a crucial test that must be passed, one that Stilgar and Chani are concerned about since, up to this point, they are not really sure if this prophecy is being fulfilled.
He could fall off the worm like many before him, so it was exciting to film.
They achieved it in as bracing a way as they could, with a platform that shook violently without getting a real sandworm. And it was a dream to film that.”
Dune 2 releases on March 15.
