Dune 2 trailer: Christopher Walken, Austin Butler, Zendaya, explained

Paul Atreides, the Freman and Paul Atreides are all ready to fight in the new trailer for The Dune Part Deux. But for the all the epic moments the trailer includes, it’s easy to forget what exactly is going on and how we got here — after all, this is the second part of a story that first started back in 2021.

There are some simple explanations that will help you prepare for The Dune Part DeuxThis movie looks amazing. The Dune Part Deux is set for release in theaters on Nov. 8, but before that, here’s everything you need to remember to make the most of the new trailer:

What’s happening with Timothée Chalamet in the Dune: Part Two trailer?

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To answer this question, we’ll have to start with a brief recap of the first movie, just like Chalamet’s narration in this new trailer does: Paul Atreides (Chalamet) came to a new planet only to watch the death of his father and the downfall of his empire at the hands of House Atreides’ sworn enemies, House Harkonnen, who too possession of Arrakis’ vital spice mines. After fleeing to the unforgiving and harsh sands of Arrakis with Lady Jessica, the Bene Gesserit expert (Rebecca Ferguson), Paul found new allies in the Fremen. These native desert dwellers are smarter and more sophisticated than other Empires think, and may be able throw House Harkonnen out of Arrakis. That’s something Paul would very much like to help them with.

Meanwhile, Paul is also coming into his own as Muad’Dib, the Fremen’s long-prophesied messiah. While he is quick to point out to his new Fremen girlfriend, Chani (Zendaya), that the prophesy is more like a story than a fact, it is true that greater exposure to the Spice in the wilds of Arrakis is awakening Paul’s ability to see the future — and he’s having trouble adjusting to it.

What roles do Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken and others play in Dune: Part Two?

Niko T. Tavernise/Warner Bros.

Christopher Walken, seen only briefly in this trailer, is playing Emperor Shaddam IV, the ruler of the Padishah Empire — and the one who gave permission to Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) to kill the Atreides family and take over Arrakis. In other words, he’s not a likely ally for Paul in his quest to take back the planet.

Florence Pugh on the other is somewhat of a wildcard. She is Princess Irulan, the heir of the Galactic Empire, and seems to be more than just a little grudgingly respectful to Paul.

No matter what the end result is in the movie, these two characters spend most of this trailer far away from the arid climate of Arrakis, coolly discussing what’s to be done about the Fremen problem, though we can expect them to have a slightly more hands on role in the action in the full movie.

Austin Butler in Dune: Part Two: Who does he play?

Warner Bros.

With succession and family legacy playing such a huge part in this latest Dune film, it should come as no surprise that Austin Butler plays Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the nephew and chosen successor of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård). Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen and Paul appear to be natural adversaries, especially when you consider that the film’s trailer shows them destined to fight.

What is happening in Dune: Part Two?

Niko T. Tavernise/Warner Bros. Pictures

Paul describes the story of the first film, and then we see a quick look at the position of all the pieces on the chessboard.

Paul is with Chani and the Fremen, and they’re plotting to take down the Harkonnens using their superior knowledge of Arrakis, and the sandworms — which Paul can now ride like all the other Fremen warriors. Baron Harkonnen has his nephew Feyd Rautha Harkonnen ready to fight Paul and defeat him in order to gain control of House Harkonnen. While he is having a conversation with Princess Irulan, Emperor Shaddam III hears about this battle.

Among all of this other plotting and scheming, we also see plenty of snippets of the fighting to come, which includes Chani kicking a lot of Harkonnen ass and Feyd-Rautha’s excellent hand-to-hand combat. Meanwhile, Paul begins to realize that his mission in life may be much bigger than just Arrakis, though that’s more a tease for future movies than it is for this one.