Dune: Part Two is proving to be an all-engulfing sandworm at the box office. The movie has earned a massive $233.3 million on the domestic front with the global cume now standing at $574.4 million. The feature starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya is continuously making and breaking records, some even decades old. Directed by Denis Villeneuve and shot on IMAX, the feature is now the 8th highest-grossing IMAX title of all time, earning $124 million globally.
In Dune: Part Two, Villeneuve continues the story of Paul (Chalamet) from where the first film left off, in the desert with his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), now traveling with the Fremen. The feature chronicles his journey from being a reluctant messiah, who just wants to fight beside the Fremen, to a terrifying figure leading them into a holy war. In a delightful departure from the original books, a new hero rises in the form of Chani (Zendaya). The film’s themes include the savior complex, colonization, religion, and politics, and it aims to emphasize Frank Herbert’s original idea that perhaps Paul is not the hero Arrakis needs.
‘Dune: Part Two’ Is a Sand-Worm-Sized Success
The sci-fi epic has received a tremendous response from fans and critics alike, who are overwhelmed with the stunning visuals, otherworldly soundtracks, and great performances. The movie has a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a CinemaScore of A. Right from the opening week, Villeneuve’s masterpiece is enjoying a very prosperous run at the box office. It became the first movie of the year to pass $500 Million at the global box office and swiftly took over Dune: Part One’s lifetime domestic haul in just one week.
Further, with the impressive box office run, Chalamet broke a 45-year-old record with lead roles in two of the highest-grossing films in theaters — Dune 2 and Wonka, which grossed over $630 million worldwide. The record surpassed John Travolta’s who led Saturday Night Fever (1977) and Grease (1978) during their theatrical runs. And to top it the feature also surpassed the earnings Star Wars franchise’s Solo: A Star Wars Story and Return of the Jedi.
The movie has a lineup of impressive talents behind and on-screen. It brings back Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban Harkonnen, Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, Charlotte Rampling as Gaius Helen Mohiam, and Javier Bardem as Stilgar. The new faces include Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, and Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot Fenring among others.
What’s Next for Timothée Chalamet?
In his young career, Chalamet has been a part of many critically acclaimed features from Lady Bird and Little Women to Bones and All and Call Me By Your Name. After consecutive box office success with Wonka and Dune: Part Two, he’s next working on James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown, where he essays the iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The biopic began production recently and Chalamet has been spotted in costume, on the streets as the legendary folk singer in his younger years.
Mangold previously told Collider that Chalamet will also be doing all his own singing in the role. And having seen his singing prowess in Wonka, fans are looking forward to Chalamet’s take on the young country singer. He’s also expected to return to play the Messiah, whenever Dune 3 moves forward.
