Director Denis Villeneuve has said that Zendaya’s character will take the lead in the sequel, rather than Timothee Chalamet’s character, who will be the main focus in the upcoming film.

In a recent interview, the filmmaker affirmed that he will work on a sequel and even expressed his excitement about the project while also providing some specifics.

Timothee Chalamet will play Paul Atreides in the film Dune, which is based on Frank Herbert’s novel, and Zendaya will play Chani.

According to director Villeneuve’s recent interview with the Italian magazine Il Venerd di Repubblica, Chani would be the protagonist of the sequel’s storyline.

While talking about the same, he said, “I can’t wait to shoot the second part of Dune to get [Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya] back together. Knowing that in the next chapter Zendaya will be the protagonist of the story”, via Screenrant.

In addition to Chalamet and Zendaya, Dune features Jason Momoa, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Rebecca Ferguson, and Javier Bardem in pivotal parts.

After the delays caused by the pandemic, the film is now slated to release in theatres on September 3, 2021.