DUNE: Part Three Filming in Budapest
zita kisgergely
The third instalment of the sci-fi saga DUNE officially kicked off production in Budapest at Origo Studios this week.
From Imdb.
Turns out the rumours were true. Sightings of Zendaya (who plays Chani in the previous DUNE films) in Budapest over the last few days had led to suspicions that DUNE: Part Three was about to start filming in the Hungarian capital. Zendaya was snapped in a café as well as petting someone’s dog on the street a few days ago, while a post on IG featured a photo of the star spending time at the Neroli luxury perfumery on Andrássy Avenue.
Additionally, there had been reports on social media that Timothée Chalamet had shaved his head–although the actor seemed to be trying to keep it, literally, under wraps with a headscarf and baseball cap. This sent devoted fans into a fit of speculation that he was in prep to reprise his role of Paul Atreides. Turns out, the fans were right.
Based on the 1965 novel by Frank Herbert, the two previous instalments of DUNE were also partly filmed in Hungary. The director behind this cinematic vision of the franchise, Denis Villeneuve, is using material in the second novel of the series (DUNE MESSIAH) for the third instalment which follows the story of Paul Atreides. (Incidentally, Villeneuve is also slated to direct the next James Bond film, the first one since Amazon-MGM Studios took over creative control of the franchise).
On X (formerly Twitter), the official DUNE account described the new DUNE film as "a journey into that land where we walk without footprints". The quote, taken from the second novel, describes the character Paul Atreides’ spiritual transformation beyond the physical as he graduates to a near-prophetic state.
DUNE: Part Three is expected to again involve an extensive multi-location, multi-month-long shoot. It sees the return of Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, and Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho.
Fun Facts about the original film
Released in 1984, the first DUNE film was directed and written by David Lynch. Production took place in Mexico City at Churubusco Studios and the cast featured a range of prominent actors of the time, including Kyle MacLachlan–who would go on to star in Lynch’s TWIN PEAKS.
With a budget estimated at between $40 and $42 million, the film struggled commercially when it was released, earning just under $31 million. Multiple versions of the movie were released, with Lynch distancing himself from the project and removing his name from some. But despite this controversy, the film has since gained a cult following.
Sources & further information
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