In Dune 2, a notable scene shows Paul Atreides riding a gigantic sandworm. How was this breathtaking sequence achieved?
On February 28, the public was finally able to discover the second part of Dune in the cinema. Even more epic than the previous part, Denis Villeneuve’s film notably offers an absolutely spectacular sequence: the riding of a sandworm by Paul Atréides (Timothée Chalamet).
During this scene, the hero must prove himself against the Fremen people by hanging on for the first time on the back of a gigantic sandworm, called Shai-Hulud. This is a rite of passage in the Fremen tradition and it is not easy!
This creature, well known to fans of Frank Herbert’s novel, was already introduced in the previous episode in 2021. In the 2nd part, the worms take a more important place and the film team had to take on this immense challenge.
The design of the Shai-Hulud ride
To develop the delicate sequence of the sandworm’s ride, Denis Villeneuve entrusted Paul Lambert, an experienced visual effects supervisor. The Canadian director has already collaborated with him on Blade Runner 2049 and the first Dune. A great specialist in digital effects, he notably worked on Harry Potter 3, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Benjamin Button and First Man.
According to Paul Lambert, quoted in the film’s press kit, Denis Villeneuve knows perfectly well what works in computer graphics and what doesn’t. “During our first video meetings with the team, before going to Budapest, we talked about the sequence of the worm ride because Denis had explained to us his – extraordinary – vision of the scene. Basically, the Fremen use a hammerer at the top of the dune. The worm, attracted by the noise of the hammerer, arrives and the dune collapses.explains the specialist.
“The Fremen is then at the top of this dune, as it collapses, and he takes the opportunity to ride the worm. We had many conversations about how we were going to do it and one of our The biggest difficulty was getting the shot of Paul rushing to the worm while Chani and the other Fremen watched.”indicates Paul Lambert.
Warner
Alone on the sand
To achieve this, the top of the sand dune had to be rebuilt in another location where the team could control the situation and install cranes. Paul Lambert’s team then introduced three tubes inside the dune which would be removed by industrial tractors. “We called on a stuntman, Lorenz Hideyoshi in this case, stunt double for Timothée Chalamet, harnessed to a safety cable which started to run”underlines the visual effects supervisor.
Then the team would remove the tubes. The small mountain of sand collapsed and Lorenz Hideyoshi fell from a very high dune onto the worm, sending the sand flying in all directions in a cloud of dust. “We had to adjust the timing, the camera had to follow the action, etc. It took us a few tests over several days because the reinstallation took quite a long time, but it worked well!”rejoices Paul Lambert.
Paul’s riding scene
Mixing digital and practical effects
The visual effects team later amplified the scene into computer graphics with panels and aerial shots, giving the feeling that Paul is much higher. Then, of course, the specialists embedded the worm in computer graphics.
“For the waterfall itself, we installed Timothée on a gimbal in order to be able to modify the angle of the platform, surrounded by a gigantic sand-colored enclosure capable of being lit by the sun and sending back a bright light, with reflections gold, on Paul.”
“We shot aerial shots of the surrounding landscape, while continuing to throw gusts of sand at Paul. When all these elements were deployed, it felt like Paul was riding a worm through the desert!”explains special effects wizard Paul Lambert.
When all these elements were deployed, it felt like Paul was riding a worm through the desert!
“What I like about Paul Lambert is that he always finds a way to make everything work. He’s a genius, a kind of mad scientist!”confides Denis Villeneuve about his collaborator.
Note that the skin of sandworms is inspired by dry lakes. In these places, the completely dry clay looks like scales. “I think the idea works quite well. We implemented it in the first opus and, as the appearance of the skin was convincing, we obviously kept it for the second part”specifies production designer Patrice Vermette.
Dune 2 was released in theaters on February 28.