Timothée Chalamet gets emotional over 'Dune: Part Three' finale

Timothée Chalamet has opened up about the emotional impact of completing Denis Villeneuve's Dune trilogy, saying filming the final instalment left him feeling nostalgic long before production ended.

Speaking during the Dune: Part Three Global IMAX Fan Event in Los Angeles on July 8, the actor said the third film was the most personal entry in the franchise for him.

Chalamet, who was cast as Paul Atreides in 2018 before the release of 2021's Dune, said he had spent so many years with the character that saying goodbye was difficult.

"I felt there was a finality in the exercise," he said, adding that he "felt like I was losing a part of me" as filming came to an end.

Actor says ending the trilogy felt 'melancholic'

The 30-year-old described wrapping the film as a bittersweet experience, saying he was saddened to leave behind the cast and crew he had worked alongside throughout the trilogy.

He said it was hard to believe how quickly the journey had passed despite spending almost a decade connected to the franchise.

Chalamet also praised director Denis Villeneuve and the filmmaking team, saying he felt proud to have been part of the ambitious science-fiction series.

Dune: Part Three continues Paul Atreides' story

The upcoming film adapts Frank Herbert's 1969 novel Dune Messiah, following the events of Dune: Part Two.

Chalamet returns as Paul Atreides alongside Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, Anya Taylor-Joy and Robert Pattinson.

Discussing the trilogy's creative approach, Chalamet said the filmmakers never treated the story as a joke despite its larger-than-life concepts, crediting Villeneuve for maintaining a sincere vision throughout production.

Villeneuve praises Chalamet's growth

Villeneuve also reflected on Chalamet's performance across the trilogy, saying the actor had evolved alongside his character.

The filmmaker described the first film as Paul's discovery of Arrakis, the second as his transition into adulthood, and the third as Chalamet delivering something "very special."

When asked what advice he would give his younger self at the start of the journey, Chalamet said he would simply tell himself to savour the experience because opportunities to work on projects of such artistic scale are rare.

Dune: Part Three is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on December 18.