Jason Momoa is reflecting on being taken down by Timothée Chalamet in Dune: Part 3, and the matchup looks strange on paper. Momoa is a far larger man than Chalamet, yet in this story, size is not the deciding factor.
Chalamet reprises his role as Paul Atreides in Dune: Part 3, which takes place two decades after the events of the prior film. Atreides has become the most dominant force in the universe, a messianic and absolute ruler who can strike with deadly precision.
Momoa also comes back in a different way, playing a clone of his earlier Dune: Part 1 role, Duncan Idaho, without any of the old character’s memories or personality. “It’s probably the strangest role I’ve ever had to handle, because I knew I was hired to play Duncan for a certain purpose, then I had to work out how to portray a man who has no idea who he is is,” Momoa said during a conversation with The New York Times.
“It was very difficult. I’m not the most delicate actor, or person, so it was probably my most delicate performance. I haven’haven’t seen it yet. I’m not sure which takes he used.”
Idaho and Atreides were close companions in Part 1, but their connection is more tense in Part 3, and the two end up in conflict. Momoa says it took effort to understand the mechanics of losing to Chalamet on screen.
“And there’s another thing, too: when I’m working with Tim, I actually have to go toe-to-toe with him,” Momoa said. “[His character Paul] operates on an entirely different level, and he’s actually a stronger fighter than I am. So, realistically, how do we make that together?”
Chalamet jumped in to note that was “a polite way of putting” that Momoa could beat him in a real-life fight. “He’s a better actor,” Momoa said. “I’m better when it comes to fighting, but he’s incredibly quick. I was really amazed: being a strong actor doesn’t automatically mean you can dance. In the end, it’s a dance.”
Elsewhere before launch, attention has also turned to Dune: Part 3’s unsettling popcorn buckets. One includes two sandworm openings for extra fun, while the other has a thumper that actually moves up and down.
Dune: Part 2 outperformed the earlier film in the series at the box office, earning nearly $500 million. Dune: Part 1 made $433 million worldwide during its full theatrical run. Dune: Part is scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, with early IMAX preview showings starting on December 14, 2026.
- Jason Momoa talks about his unusual return in the next chapter
- Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides is now far more powerful
- Their on-screen clash poses a tricky fight sequence
Kirk McKeand contributes to IGN News as a writer. Find him on Twitter @MckKirk