Javier Bardem Joins The Already Stacked Cast Of 'Dune'

Every so often, a movie comes along that makes you go, “Daaaaamn” with each new casting announcement. Legendary’s Dune remake, based on the classic novels by Frank Herbert and directed by Blade Runner 2049‘s Denis Villeneuve, is quickly becoming that sort of movie.

It’s now being reported that Oscar winner Javier Bardem is in talks to join the already-stacked cast. He’s circling the role of Stilgar, described as the leader of one of the desert tribes that will help protagonist Paul Atreides. Hollywood darling Timothée Chalamet will be tackling that role, which was previously played by a young Kyle MacLachlan in the 1984 miniseries.

The news of Bardem joining the cast comes one day after the news that Star Wars‘ Oscar Issac is also in talks to play Duke Leo Atreides, father to Paul.

The rest of the cast includes a mix of high-profile stars and respected veteran actors, including Dave Bautista (who previously worked with Villeneuve on Blade Runner 2049), the Mission: Impossible franchise’s Rebecca Ferguson, Stellan Skarsgård and Charlotte Rampling. Zendaya (Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Greatest Showman) is also in talks to join the cast. It’s rumored she’ll be taking on the role of Fremen warrior Chani, who eventually becomes Paul Atreides’ companion.

Villeneuve is co-writing the script along with Eric Roth (A Star Is Born, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and Jon Spaihts (Doctor Strange, Prometheus). If the movie does well, there’s a possibility we could be getting a full franchise, including TV series set in the world created by Frank Herbert: Legendary landed a deal with the Herbert estate in 2016 for the rights to the property for both film and television.

Bardem will next appear in Bleecker Street drama Molly, set to hit theaters next year.