“In Part One, the camera was capturing the performance of a teenager—I’m talking about the character, someone who was learning about the world and experiencing a new reality,” the director commented on his original Dune film’s tone, whereas Dune: Part Two will explore how Paul transitions “from the boy to the man, and becomes a leader, and even, I will say, a dark charismatic, messianic figure. It was the first time that I witnessed someone growing in front of my camera.”

Compared to the previous Dune — which won widespread acclaim and took home six Oscars — Villeneuve has described Part Two as a “war film” with elements of a “love story” in how Paul develops a romance with Zendaya’s Fremen character Chani.

Additionally, like its predecessor, Part Two received a PG-13 rating from the Motion Picture Association. Along with Chalamet and Zendaya, the movie will feature the majority of Dune’s returning cast, as well as stars like Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Austin Butler in major supporting roles. Post-Dune: Part Two, Villeneuve has expressed interest in adapting the second Dune novel Dune: Messiah, and will executive produce Max’s TV show Dune: The Sisterhood.