Zendaya, who starred in both Dune: Part One and the even more successful Dune: Part Two, has praised director Denis Villeneuve for his distinct creative approach — crediting his unique visual style as a key reason the franchise resonated so powerfully with audiences worldwide.
Zendaya on Denis Villeneuve's Creative Direction
Dune: Part Two became the top-grossing film of 2024 during its theatrical run, earning nearly $300 million domestically and over $700 million worldwide. The film received critical acclaim that surpassed even its predecessor, and Zendaya has been vocal about why she believes Villeneuve's creative leadership made the difference.
The actress highlighted that Villeneuve brought something genuinely different to the adaptation of Frank Herbert's legendary novel — a signature visual style and an ability to make every scene feel tactile and lived-in. With past silver-screen adaptations already in existence, that distinctive approach was essential to giving this version its own identity.
"Surrounding yourself with these incredible people — everything from the costumes to the set pieces — you feel so deeply in this world," Zendaya said of working on the production.
How Villeneuve Guided Zendaya on Set
Villeneuve's directorial style is as economical as it is effective. In one memorable exchange, when Zendaya asked what she should do during an ornithopter landing sequence while interacting with non-functional controls, the director's instruction was simply: "Just, sci-fi s**t." Zendaya called it one of her favourite phrases from him — a shorthand that meant: make it look cool, hit some buttons, pull the thing, and get out.
That trust between director and actress extended throughout the production. Villeneuve has noted that Zendaya spent considerable time behind the camera between takes, listening closely to conversations between himself and cinematographer Greig Fraser — a habit he considers a mark of a future filmmaker.
A Franchise Built on Visual Storytelling
For Zendaya, what set Villeneuve's Dune apart from earlier adaptations was precisely this capacity to translate a complex, sprawling narrative into a coherent and stunning visual experience. Where past versions struggled to move the story from page to screen, Villeneuve's approach generated genuine audience curiosity and sustained momentum from Part One through Part Two.
The film's global success is a testament to that vision. With strong reviews and a massive box office return, Dune: Part Two stands as one of the defining science-fiction films of its era — and Zendaya's praise for the director reflects a collaboration built on creative trust.
