Paul Atreides is featured in the first trailer for Dune: Part Two. What he does, however, may not be clear to anyone who hasn’t read the novels or seen the 1984 film.
It is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated films of 2023. Dune: Part Two is due out in theaters on November 1. The first trailer was released on May 3. And for those who have never read Frank Herbert’s novels or seen David Lynch’s film adaptation, a question may arise: what the hell is Paul Atréides (Timothée Chalamet) doing?
Paul Atreides, future rider of Shai-Hulud
It’s not necessarily easy to grasp at first glance if you don’t know anything about this universe. We see him spending time on the planet Arrakis, in the company of Chani – a character played by actress Zendaya. Several sequences follow one another and then Zendaya questions Paul: “Did you dream of your first ride? »
At the same time, Paul is clearly seen setting up a device in the sand dunes—he’s a hammerer. This is a device that sends waves into the ground. Immediately afterwards, the young man pulls out what appears to be two ice axes, while in the distance the ground seems to be torn apart by the advance of something. A something that moves quickly, and that goes towards Paul.
Despite the obvious threat posed by this underground thing, Paul isn’t backing down. He places himself not far from the device and, waiting for the moment, he rushes and leaps into the heart of the action. We then see him fall in a whirlwind of sand, before planting these ice axes in a hard surface. That’s when the young man looks like he’s getting carried away, then surfing the sand.
This whole sequence can be confusing if you are not at all familiar with the universe of Dunes. You have to understand that at that time, Paul Atreides wanted to tame and ride a sandworm. They are immense creatures living under the surface of Arrakis and who are irrepressibly attracted by the waves coming from the surface.
These monsters are fearsome and frightening. In the first Dune movie, a worm is seen easily gobbling up a huge harvester tasked with harvesting the spice. At this time, Paul nearly loses his life. Later, the young man comes face to face with another sandworm. And then at the end of the film, he dreams — and in his dreams, he has a vision in which he sees himself riding such a beast.
It is to this premonition that the trailer makes particular reference. The film will show the realization of this dream, with Paul Atreides able to tame a giant worm – also called Shai-Hulud. These creatures will have their role to play in the rest of the plot against the Harkonnen military troops, but also the Emperor’s Sardaukar elite soldiers.
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