Anya Taylor-Joy is embracing the buzz surrounding her upcoming role in Dune: Part Three after costar Timothée Chalamet described her performance as “terrifying.”
Speaking at the premiere of her new series Lucky, Taylor-Joy laughed off the comment, saying that if she managed to frighten Chalamet, she must have been doing something right. She also confirmed that she viewed his description as a genuine compliment.
The excitement began during a Global IMAX fan event on July 8, where Chalamet introduced a new trailer for Dune: Part Three. While avoiding spoilers, he praised Taylor-Joy’s work, calling her one of the film’s standout performers.
“Anya is something special in this movie,” Chalamet said. “She’s actually terrifying and amazing.”
Taylor-Joy first appeared briefly in Dune: Part Two as Alia Atreides, Paul Atreides’ younger sister. Her role was limited to a vision, but the third film is expected to place Alia at the center of the story. Set years after the events of the previous installment, the sequel follows Paul during his reign as emperor, with Alia playing a pivotal role in the unfolding conflict.
Director Denis Villeneuve previously revealed that keeping Taylor-Joy’s casting secret for Dune: Part Two required months of planning and strict confidentiality. The surprise cameo became one of the film’s biggest talking points after its release.
Earlier this year, Taylor-Joy also hinted at the complexity of Alia’s character. She explained that Alia carries the memories and wisdom of countless generations, making every conversation and decision far more layered than they appear. Despite those extraordinary abilities, she said Alia’s strongest emotional bond is with her brother, Paul, whose understanding gives her a rare sense of belonging.
The upcoming film also reunites Chalamet with Zendaya and features returning cast members from the acclaimed science-fiction franchise, while introducing new characters as the story moves further into Frank Herbert’s saga.
With anticipation continuing to build, Taylor-Joy’s comments have only added to the excitement surrounding what promises to be one of the year’s biggest theatrical releases.
Dune: Part Three is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 18.
