Model and actress Anya Taylor-Joy has confirmed she is in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two after months of speculation.
The star had long been rumoured to join the star-studded ensemble, which includes Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler and Florence Pugh.
In a new interview, broadcast on the Warner Bros’ TikTok account, she said: “This is a dream come true. The books are incredible, but with this cast and with Denis, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
The actor added she felt the film was “one of the best movies I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Genuinely, Denis has killed it.”
It is not clear how big of a role she has or who she plays in the movie.
Villeneuve’s highly-anticipated follow-up to Dune is set for release next month. The movies are based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel of the same name.
The first film, released in 2021, followed Chalamet’s character, Paul Atreides, heir to the Atreides noble family, who becomes embroiled in a war for control over the galaxy’s most valuable asset while he battles visions of a dark future.
It also featured Zendaya, Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson, US actors Dave Bautista and Oscar Isaac, Avengers star Josh Brolin and Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard among its star-studded cast.
The sequel sees Chalamet’s Atreides reunite with Chani, portrayed by Zendaya, and the Fremen to take revenge on those who conspired to destroy his family.
Themes of the second movie include groups battling for control, humanity’s relationship with nature and the survival of society.
British actress Pugh, 28, makes her debut in Dune: Part Two as Princess Irulan, daughter of the supreme ruler of the galaxy.
Asked how topical she feels the themes of the film are to a modern audience, she told the PA news agency on the red carpet of the world premiere in central London on Thursday: “There’s a reason why we’re retelling this story now. There’s a reason why it’s lasted this long already.
“There’s a reason why the books tell the future thousands of years into the future.
“It’s themes that we are constantly battling against and it’s something that clearly people are drawn to the story being retold.”
The follow-up also sees Elvis star Austin Butler join the cast as the bald and eyebrow-less villain, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen.
The sequel had been set for release on November 3, but was postponed following the Sag-Aftra US actors’ strike.
Part One was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won six, including for original score, visual effects, cinematography and editing.
Dune: Part Two will arrive in cinemas on March 1.
