Dune: Part Three Trailer Event Unveils Intense Battle Sequence Ahead of IMAX Showings
Warner Bros. made a grand entrance today with the international debut of the new trailer for Dune: Part Three, a spectacular event simulcast at IMAX theaters. The event took place at the Los Angeles location, where fans in attendance were treated to a live Q&A session with director Denis Villeneuve and star Timothée Chalamet.
As part of the trailer debut, an extended sequence from the movie was showcased to the audience. This footage was the same as the one that made its first appearance at CinemaCon in April, but now presented in stunning full IMAX (Villeneuve noted in his intro that it was shot in IMAX 70mm). Having witnessed the sequence at both events, it’s clear that it was just as impressive in both instances, but the IMAX presentation packed an even greater punch.
In his intro, Villeneuve explained that this particular portion of the film showcases the consequences of Paul’s decisions in Dune: Part Two. This intense and visually striking sequence is reminiscent of an epic World War II movie, as it delves into one ship among a large group of drop ships filled with soldiers heading towards the surface of a planet. To reach the planet’s surface, they must navigate through a massive storm, complete with massive lightning bolts. One of these bolts strikes and blows up one of the other ships.
Onboard the drop ship that is the focus of the scene, a familiar face is found among the soldiers in the form of Stilgar (Javier Bardem), as one soldier marvels at the prospect of going to a planet where water falls from the sky. The soldiers all look nervous as they engage in small talk or hold onto mementos, before one of the commanders gives them a pep talk.
On the surface, they and the men onboard the other ships arrive in the pouring rain, only to be ambushed by a gun rising out of the ground that unleashes intense, gatling gun-type firepower (albeit looking like red laser beams). The gun then disappears into the ground, only for a tower to rise out of the ground, covered in more guns that bombard the soldiers, killing many and blowing up some of the ships they just exited.
As the men take cover behind one of their ships, even amidst the onslaught of firepower, one man still looks up in awe at the falling rain. An attempt by Stilgar’s men to use one of their powerful weapons to get through one of the towers’ shields fails, with their shots deflecting back, and bringing even more unrelenting shots down upon them. Finally, one of the soldiers runs away in panic, only to be killed as he flees.
The footage then transitions into a montage – essentially a shorter version of the new trailer, with a few alternate moments.
Villeneuve noted that this battle scene, or at least a glimpse of it, will be included ahead of The Odyssey IMAX showings beginning next week, when that film, which also stars Zendaya, opens.
Though there are certainly other tales that could be told in the Dune universe, Villeneuve and Chalamet both spoke at the event about Dune: Part Three as an ending to the story. Villeneuve discussed how he decided to move up his original plan to wait a few years to do the third movie, excited by images in his head about what Part Three could be and a strong desire to finish the story. Chalamet also shared that he felt emotional and as though a true journey was coming to its end filming the final scenes from the film.
Dune: Part Three is set to be released on December 18.
Key highlights from the event include:
- The IMAX presentation of the extended sequence from Dune: Part Three
- The live Q&A session with director Denis Villeneuve and star Timothée Chalamet
- The debut of the new trailer for Dune: Part Three
Overall, the Dune: Part Three trailer event was a spectacular celebration of the upcoming film, offering fans a glimpse into the intense battle sequences and emotional conclusion of the story.
