“Dune” cast discusses coming of age and more during a virtual college roundtable

Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet pose with college student journalists at the end of a virtual roundtable via Zoom on Sunday, Oct. 17. (Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)

Actors Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet met with college student journalists from around the country at a virtual roundtable to discuss their upcoming film “Dune” on Sunday. 

“Dune” is a sci-fi movie based on a book of the same name that follows a young Paul Atriedes, played by Chalamet, as he travels to a different planet to protect his royal family’s power and the future of his people. As he navigates this journey, he dreams about Chani, played by Zendaya, who will eventually aid him in his quest. 

“I think Paul’s circumstances—a young man struggling with his identity—are things we all struggle with when we are at that age,” said Chalamet. 

While Paul’s journey is much more harrowing than his own, Chalamet said Paul’s ability to grow and face his challenges made him an exciting character to inhabit.

Additionally, working with the film’s director Denis Villeneuve and other talented actors such as Oscar Isaac, who plays Leto Artreides I, and Jason Momoa, who plays Duncan Idaho, was a dream come true, said Chalamet. 

“This is something I would do again in a heartbeat and I hope we get another chance again,” said Chalamet. 

Zendaya echoed Chalamet’s sentiment. Accepting her role as Chani in the movie was a “no-brainer,” she said. “We have such a dream team of people possible to work with,” said the actor.

Regarding her character, Zendaya felt connected to Chani’s “deeper sense of wisdom” and inability to live life as a “normal teenager,” she said.

She added that because she has worked with actors much older than her in her career,  it forced her to grow quicker.

While “Dune” has been adapted many times previously—more recently as a 2000 miniseries that premiered on “Sci-Fi Channel”— Zendaya said that this did not discourage her from participating in the project. 

Zendaya has acted in movies that have been previously adapted and believes that one can be successful in their work if they have the right director who connects with the material in a different way. 

“Because [Villeneuve] read [the book] as a young person and grew with it, he brings a greater emotional connection to the piece,” said Zendaya. 

Zendaya finds Villeneuve’s handling of the plot powerful, especially Paul’s relationship with his mother, she said.

She also added the movie is a dramatic coming of age story and a metaphor for what it is like to grow up, said Zendaya. 

“One of [Villeneuve’s] specialties is being able to keep in sight that human element,” she said.

Although the book “Dune” wasn’t published during his generation, Chalamet said its themes remain relevant today. 

“It’s about fighting for what’s right socially and environmentally,” said Chalamet.