Zendaya has reflected on a “lesson learned” after getting a “terrible heatstroke” while filming Dune: Part Two.
READ MORE: ‘Dune: Part Two’ review: sandworm-sized sequel should blow a hole in the box office
The film was recently named on NME’s 20 best films of 2024, coming in at Number 11, with NME writing: “Truly heroic movie-making; landing in our eyeballs as a triumph of cinematic art and craft, with the production design again brilliantly mingling familiar sci-fi elements.”
Now, in a new interview with W Magazine, the Euphoria actress has reflected on the physical challenges of playing Chani in the sci-fi epic. Recalling filming the Denis Villeneuve-directed flick, Zendaya said it was “very hot” on location in Jordan. “I remembered thinking, ‘Oh, man, the bathrooms are so far away,’ because we had to hike to the locations,” she said.
“If you have to pee, you need at least 10 minutes to get out of the costumes. I was like, ‘Damn, I don’t want to drink too much water.’ I had such a fear of peeing myself or shitting myself, honestly, in the suit on set.”
Zendaya in ‘Dune: Part Two’. Credit: Warner Bros
She went on to explain that when she got heatstroke, she was left feeling nauseous after not drinking enough water. “I remember calling my mom on the bathroom floor, saying, ‘I feel terrible,’” she said. “She was like, ‘Did you drink water today?’ I said no. I thought I was being smart, but you can’t do that. So, lesson learned.”
Elsewhere, she reflected on the transition between filming Challengers and Dune: Part Two, saying the tennis training worked to her advantage. “What was so great is I had been training with the boys on Challengers every day,” she said. “And [I] was in the best shape that I had been in a really long time.
“For Dune, the costumes were very heavy and restrictive. The first few weeks, your body’s quite sore. When I was walking through the sand every day, my butt looked great. So that worked out! I was prepared.”
‘Challengers’ film. CREDIT: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures via IMDB
The movie sequel debuted in March and became a firm favourite with audiences and critics alike, earning a 92 per cent approval rating from critics and 95 per cent from audiences.
Late last year, fans were surprised to learn that Dune: Part Two was nominated in just two categories at the Golden Globes: ‘Best Original Score’ for Hans Zimmer and ‘Best Motion Picture: Drama.’ The film’s director Denis Villeneuve didn’t receive a nomination, nor did its lead actors Timothee Chamalet or Zendaya.
Dune: Part Two was given four stars from NME on its release, writing: “If there’s an issue with Dune: Part Two, it’s only that the ending feels a little rushed, considering the near six-hour build-up over the past two movies.
“At any rate, the door is left wide open for a third instalment, and Villeneuve has already indicated his willingness to continue with an adaptation of Herbert’s sequel: Dune Messiah, should Part Two rake in enough spicy space cash, so there may well be more to come. In the meantime, make sure you see this on the biggest, loudest screen you can find.”
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