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Dune trailer: Denis Villeneuve’s teaser for anticipated adaption starring Timothée Chalamet finally drops

Pierra WillixThe West Australian
VideoThe sci-fi classic Dune is returning to the big screen and a new trailer has been released.

The star-studded trailer for the silver screen adaption of Frank Herbert’s famed 1965 science fiction novel Dune has been released.

Easily one of the most anticipated films of the year, the three minute trailer gives a glimpse into the dangerous desert planet Arrakis — also known as Dune — and its inhabitants.

WATCH THE TRAILER IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

The story at the centre of the book and upcoming film is focused on Paul Atreides, the son of Duke Leto, who is asked to oversee the planet, but their existence there is also threatened by the presence of giant sand worms.

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Starring Timothée Chalamet (Call Me By Your Name, The King, Little Women) as Paul , the Dune trailer begins with him standing in the desert before sharing a passionate kiss with Chani, played by Zendaya.

Zendaya as Chani.
Camera IconZendaya as Chani. Credit: Chiabella James

But, he soon wakes from his dream and things take a dark turn.

“There is a crusade coming,” he says, standing watching fire and smoke in the distance.

We are then introduced to Gaius Helen Mohiam, Reverend Mother of the Bene Gesserit, a sisterhood of witches.

She then subjects Paul to the ‘Test of Humanity’ and forces him to put his hand inside a box whilst she holds a needle at his throat.

“The test is simple, remove your hand from the box and you die,” she says.

When he asks what he is about to subject himself to, she replies “pain”, before we hear him screaming.

He is then seen fighting with Josh Brolin, who plays Gurney Halleck, a weapons master and one of his mentors.

Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck.
Camera IconJosh Brolin as Gurney Halleck. Credit: Chiabella James

A voice-over ominously reveals that “Arrakis is a death trap”, before the planet seems to descend into chaos with armies assembling and trees burning before Paul realises an “extermination” is under way.

“They are picking my family off one-by-one,” he says.

While his appearance in the trailer is brief, Aquaman star Jason Momoa is prepared to hit back, telling him it is time to “fight like demons” before a violent battle ensues.

The Reverend Mother then shares her premonition for the young man.

“One day a legend will be born... all of civilisation depends on it,” she says.

He then mutters the iconic line fans have been waiting for: “I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer. When fear is gone only I will remain.”

Director Denis Villeneuve and Javier Bardem on the set of Dune.
Camera IconDirector Denis Villeneuve and Javier Bardem on the set of Dune. Credit: Chiabella James

While there have been two previous adaptions of the world’s best selling science fiction novel, David Lynch’s 1986 film was a box-office failure and was widely panned by critics, while a television miniseries in 2000 was received better, picking up two Emmy Awards the following year.

However, anticipation is high for director Denis Villeneuve’s (Sicaro, Blade Runner 2049) take on the source material.

A huge fan himself of the novel, Villeneuve said the storylines and themes in the novel were too complex for a single film, and only signed on to direct after Warner Bros. agreed to split it into a two-part series.

The film was shot in Jordan and Norway and also stars Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista and Chang Chen.

Dune is set to be released in Australia on Boxing Day.

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