Dune: Jenna Ortega reveals she auditioned for the role of Zendaya in the film

The actress shared her experience during the promotion of Beetlejuice 2

Image Credit: Netflix

During a Q&A video to promote Beetlejuice 2, Jenna Ortega talked about her previous work. When asked about which role she auditioned for that few people know about, the actress said she participated in the auditions for Dune, by Denis Villeneuve. "I auditioned for Dune when I was about 15. I've always been a big fan of the franchise and the films and Dennis is one of my favorite filmmakers," said Ortega. "I think it was for Chani, Zendaya's character. They didn't say anything, it was all very secret."

Winner of six Oscars, Dune: Part One was released in 2021. Directed by Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Arrival), the Dune franchise features Timothée Chalamet (The French Chronicle), Oscar Isaac (Ex_Machina), Rebecca Ferguson (Doctor Sleep), Zendaya (Euphoria), Javier Bardem (Skyfall), Josh Brolin (Avengers: Infinity War), Dave Bautista (Blade Runner 2049) and Stellan Skarsgard (Chernobyl). The film shows the arrival of the Atreides clan, led by Leto (Isaac) on the desert planet Arrakis, and the coup by Baron Harkonnen (Skarsgard) against them.

Part 2 continues the saga of the Atreides family in search of survival on the cruel planet of Arrakis. In the sequel, we will follow Paul Atreides (Chalamet) living among the Fremen tribe and developing his clairvoyant abilities while growing closer to Chani (Zendaya). Meanwhile, they seek revenge against Emperor Padishah (Christopher Walken) and House Harkonenn, who together carried out a coup d'état on the planet Arrakis, culminating in the death of Duke Leto, Paul's father.

Like the first film, Part Two will be based on the work of Frank Herbert. The sequel adapts the second half of the gigantic science fiction book, considered one of the greatest in the genre. In addition to bringing Chalamet, Zendaya, Ferguson, and other actors from the first film, the sequel adds new cast members: Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter), Florence Pugh (Black Widow), Léa Seydoux (007 - No Time to Die), Austin Butler (Baz Luhrmann's Elvis) and Souheila Yacoub (The Graves). Anya Taylor-Joy also has a role in the film, again directed by Villeneuve.

Source: Variety