Timothée Chalamet says Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance as Alia Atreides in Dune: Part Three is “really terrifying”, insisting the praise is not media hyperbole. The remark was made on July 8 at the Global IMAX Fan Event for Warner Bros. new trailer, in which Chalamet also praised Robert Pattinson’s performance as Scytale, saying he already knew from past experience how talented his co-star was.
As soon as the new trailer for Dune: Part Three was released on July 8, Timothée Chalamet already attracted everyone’s attention with his confession. At the Global IMAX Fan Event in Burbank, the actor didn’t mince words about his co-star Anya Taylor-Joy, who plays Alia Atreides: “She’s actually terrible,” he said, brushing aside any accusations of publicity exaggeration. He also gave the floor to newcomer Robert Pattinson as Scytale, admitting that he already knew what the actor was capable of due to past collaborations. Denis Villeneuve’s final chapter, set for December 18, 2026, now has fans buzzing long before the lights go out.
Chilling performance by Anya Taylor-Joy
The final chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi trilogy is approaching, and its lead actor has just upped the ante. Speaking at Global IMAX Fan Event in Burbank, California on July 8, 2026, Timothée Chalamet highlighted the role of Anya Taylor-Joy in Dune: Part Three. “She really is terrible,” he said, insisting this is not media hyperbole. His comments came on the same day that Warner Bros. released a new trailer for the film.
Alia Atreides takes center stage
Taylor-Joy plays Other AtreidesPaul’s younger sister and a key figure in Frank Herbert’s 1969 novel Dune Messiah, the source material for this installment. The story is gaining momentum 20 years after Dune: Part Twowhen Paul married Princess Irulan to ensure peace throughout the Imperium. This world did not survive, leaving his character in much darker territory.
Pattinson joins multiple returning cast
Robert Pattinson enters the saga as Skytaildescribed as an important new role. Chalamet, who had already shared his set with him, was equally enthusiastic. “I’ve worked with Rob before. I knew how good he was,” he said, adding that Anya is something special in the film, “and so is Rob.” The returning ensemble includes Zendaya as Chani, Florence Pugh as Irulan, Javier Bardem as Stilgar, and Josh Brolin and Rebecca Ferguson. Jason Momoa also returns after missing the second film, and Hans Zimmer returns to compose the score.
Countdown to December
Principal photography began in July 2025 and concluded November 2025with filming in Budapest and Abu Dhabi. Villeneuve is currently busy in post-production on what is believed to be the conclusion of his trilogy, which began in 2021 and continues with the Oscar-winning Dune: Part Two in 2024. The July 8 trailer, accompanied by a set of character posters, offered the first extended look at this older and more haunted Paul Atreides.
Dune: Part Three will be released in cinemas nationwide December 18, 2026.