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Anya Taylor-Joy’s Alia Stands Beside Timothée Chalamet’s Emperor Paul in New ‘Dune: Part Three’ Image

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Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’ saga is entering its final stretch. ‘Dune: Part Three’ opens in theaters on December 18 from Warner Bros. and Legendary, closing out Paul Atreides’ story nearly 2 decades after the events of ‘Dune: Part Two’.

As release approaches, Empire has become a major source of new looks at the film. The magazine’s December issue, which comes with 2 collectible covers and goes on sale October 22, takes readers inside what it calls Arrakis’ darkest hour.

The latest Empire exclusive offers the first real look at Paul and Alia together in the final chapter. Timothée Chalamet’s Paul sits on his throne as Padishah Emperor, wearing earth-toned robes with his hands clasped and his expression heavy.

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Beside him stands Anya Taylor-Joy’s Alia, dressed in a flowing white hooded robe and looking out past the frame. The image is set against a teal, intricately carved backdrop that emphasizes the scale and coldness of Paul’s imperial world.

The image fits the tone Villeneuve has teased for the finale. The story picks up years after Paul seized the Imperium, with him now ruling as a ruthless emperor haunted by visions of Imperial collapse.

Paul’s posture suggests a man burdened by power, while Alia’s watchful stance hints at her role as a quiet but significant presence in his court. The contrast between the 2 siblings is striking.

Alia is Paul’s younger sister, born with the memories of generations before her. In ‘Dune: Part Two’, she appeared only briefly in a vision, still unborn and communicating through Lady Jessica.

The time jump means audiences will now meet her as an adult. In Frank Herbert’s ‘Dune Messiah’, which the film draws from, Alia becomes a political advisor to Paul after he takes the throne. Official images have also shown her holding a sword.

Villeneuve has described Alia as something like a ghost and a secret, and has said that working again with Taylor-Joy and Florence Pugh was one of his motivations for adapting ‘Dune Messiah’.

Taylor-Joy has called the role very intense, and Chalamet has said her performance is genuinely frightening. Together, those comments suggest Alia could be one of the film’s most unsettling characters.

Chalamet and Taylor-Joy are joined by Zendaya as Chani, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Javier Bardem as Stilgar and Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck. Jason Momoa returns as Hayt, a ghola of Duncan Idaho.

Robert Pattinson joins as the villain Scytale, a Tleilaxu Face Dancer. Empire’s issue includes interviews with the major cast, including Taylor-Joy on Alia, Chalamet on Paul’s darkest chapter, Zendaya on Chani’s betrayal, and Pattinson on Scytale.

Villeneuve co-wrote the script with Brian K. Vaughan, and Hans Zimmer returns to compose. The film was shot mainly on 65 mm with select IMAX 15/70 mm sequences, with production in Budapest and Abu Dhabi.

Villeneuve has said the finale shares the DNA of the earlier films but moves at a different pace. With a 3-week IMAX exclusivity window and strong ticket demand, it’s set to be one of the year’s biggest event releases.

This new image may be quiet, but it says a lot about where the story is headed. Paul is at the height of his power and looks trapped by it, while Alia appears beside him as a mysterious and potentially dangerous figure. With just over 2 months until release, fans will be looking closely at every new frame for clues about how Villeneuve’s trilogy ends.

What are you most excited to see in Dune: Part Three?

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