Anya Taylor-Joy, the talented star of “The Queen’s Gambit,” is set to make her mark in the “Dune” universe. Warner Bros. confirmed on Thursday that the 27-year-old actress will be making a brief appearance in “Dune: Part Two,” although her role has been kept a secret until now.
Taylor-Joy made her presence known at the London premiere of the sequel, donning a stunning white Dior haute couture cape and matching pleated gown with a plunging neckline. During a live-streamed interview on Warner Bros. UK’s TikTok account, she tantalizingly hinted at her involvement in the film, stating, “You’ll have to see the film” to understand why she was at the premiere.
The excitement surrounding Taylor-Joy’s casting is palpable, as she expressed her enthusiasm for the project. “Having seen it, this is probably one of the best movies I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” she gushed. “This is a dream come true. The books are incredible, but with this cast and with Denis (Villeneuve), it doesn’t get any better than that.”
Director Denis Villeneuve himself was amazed that they were able to keep Taylor-Joy’s role a secret for so long. “I cannot believe that we kept the secret that long,” he admitted. “It required so much work to keep that secret.” He even jokingly added, “Everybody signed with their blood.”
Anya Taylor-Joy is not the only new addition to the “Dune” universe. The sci-fi epic has also welcomed Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux, and Christopher Walken to its star-studded cast, joining the likes of Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, and Javier Bardem.
“Dune” follows the story of Paul Atreides, portrayed by Chalamet, a young man whose family is entrusted with the mining of a valuable resource called Spice on the desert planet Arrakis. The Spice not only alters the mind but also enables interstellar travel. Paul survives a brutal attack from rival House Harkonnen and aligns himself with the Fremen, the indigenous people of Arrakis, and Chani, played by Zendaya, a Fremen woman who has appeared in his dreams.
The first film adapts the first half of Frank Herbert’s influential sci-fi classic, while “Part Two” will continue the story. Unlike other big-budget franchises, both films were not shot simultaneously. Warner Bros. and Legendary took a cautious approach, waiting to see the response to the first film before greenlighting the sequel.
As fans eagerly await the release of “Dune: Part Two,” Anya Taylor-Joy’s involvement adds another layer of excitement to an already highly anticipated project. With its stellar cast and visionary director, “Dune” promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience that will transport audiences to a mesmerizing and immersive world.