Director Denis Villeneuve and the cast of 'Dune Part 2' pose for a group photo at a promotional event in Seoul, South Korea. Gretchen Fullido, ABS-CBN News 

SEOUL -- Filipinos are in for a unique treat as the much-awaited sequel to "Dune" incorporated the local martial art of Kali into the training and fight scenes, a decision that added depth and authenticity to the film's combat sequences. 

Working with martial arts specialist Roger Yuan, director Denis Villeneuve and his team crafted a new form of combat that blended various techniques, with Kali being a significant component. 

Renowned for its emphasis on fluid motion, weapon versatility, and adaptability, Kali provided a dynamic foundation for developing the film's unique combat style, resonating with the narrative's themes of survival, strategy, and ascendance. 

“We had a Kali instructor in Los Angeles named Alvin who was incredibly talented, knowledgeable, experienced,” lead star Timothee Chalamet said.

Austin Butler also shared his knowledge and background with the Filipino Martial art. Butler's personal connection to Kali was rooted in his childhood training, and this enriched his portrayal of his character, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, showcasing the martial art's versatility and strategic depth. 

“I actually took Kali as a kid, I had a Filipino trainer. It's such an amazing martial art because you can use any weapon. You can use sticks. You can use knives. You can use your fist. A newspaper rolled up. There's so many variations on it. And so learning about the origins of Kali is exciting for me as a kid and then I get to do it here in the film.” Butler said. 

Atreides' character development

Central to the narrative of "Dune Part 2" is Chalamet's portrayal of Paul Atreides, a character whose evolution from a young man filled with doubt to a charismatic and tragic leader is both compelling and pivotal. 

Villeneuve praised Chalamet's growth both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. “He came on set much more mature, with much more experience, much more assured. When he came in, you see him going from becoming this young man filled with doubt to a charismatic leader, and having a tragic story. I thought that Timothee embodied Paul Atreides in a very spectacular way,” Villeneuve said.

Actor Stella Skarsgård also shared his insights on Chalamet's portrayal of Atreides, observing the growth from a "little spoiled brat" in Part One to a more complex figure embodying both a lover and the beginnings of something more ominous. 

Zendaya, reflecting on the evolution of her co-star, said, "Watching Timothée embody Paul Atreides and witnessing his journey into realizing his destiny was truly special. To see him become a leading figure, not just in character but in essence, amidst the high expectations of this monumental film, was remarkable."

Chalamet reciprocated the sentiment, highlighting Zendaya's pivotal role as Chani. "She brings the heart to this movie. Chani's experience, grounded and emotionally relatable, contrasts with Paul's ventures into the wilderness, connecting the audience to the core of our story," he said.

Message to fans

Meanwhile, Villeneuve, Chalamet, Zendaya, Skarsgård and Butler all expressed their gratitude towards their Filipino fans for supporting the Dune films. 

“First of all, thank you for going to the theaters to watch 'Dune Part 2,' because this is the way my friends and I designed, created the movie. We worked so hard to create an immersive experience that can be just fully embraced in the theater” Villeneuve said.

Zendaya, Chalamet and Butler said that they’ve always longed to visit the Philippines to meet to meet their fans and to explore the country. 

“I've always wanted to visit. It would be would be an absolute dream, I’ve only kind of correspond or seen fans, you know, through social media, but it would be such a pleasure to be able to meet and see them in person and give them some love,” Zendaya said. 

Chalamet followed up and said, “I would love to go to the Philippines. I would love to visit.” 

“I’ve always wanted to go to the Philippines as well. The people are the sweetest people in the world. I would love to go to the Philippines.” Butler added.

'Dune Part 3' and beyond

With anticipation building around "Dune Part 3," Villeneuve shared his excitement and determination to continue the saga, fueled by the positive reception of the second installment. 

The director's message to his Filipino fans emphasized his appreciation for their support, underscoring the importance of the theatrical experience in fully appreciating the film's immersive quality.

“Thank you for the enthusiasm, because of the way people appreciate the movie gives us energy to move back to the desert, which is not easy to do. And let's say that I'm writing right now and when the screenplay will be ready, then we'll go back to shooting, but that might take a while, we'll see,” Villanueve said.

Reflecting on the broader themes of "Dune," Skarsgård hopes viewers will leave the cinema emotionally engaged with the magical world and societal commentary the film presents. He emphasized the depth of the story, touching on power struggles, liberation movements, and the impact of religion, suggesting the narrative's relevance beyond its science fiction facade. 

Skarsgård said he found the source material of Dune — written in the 1960s — to be timeless, dealing with "human problems that are eternal."

"Dune: Part 2" is showing in Philippine cinemas on February 28. 

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