Zendaya’s Stunning Dune 2 Premiere Look Is Drawing Star Wars Comparisons
Yesterday evening, the highly-anticipated premiere of Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic, Dune Part 2, took place at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, and attendees did not disappoint. Zendaya, who stars alongside Timothée Chalamet in the film, brought the house down with her striking red carpet look. But it’s not just the stunning ensemble that has tongues wagging – fans can’t help but compare Zendaya’s appearance to that of a certain galactic icon.
The young actress turned heads in a dazzling chrome-dipped Alexander McQueen gown, showcasing the brand’s intricate metallic designs. The floor-sweeping masterpiece featured strategically-placed cutouts and subtle sparkle, perfectly encapsulating the futuristic aesthetic of Dune. Zendaya accessorized with a matching chromed-out clutch, effortlessly blending fashion and fiction. Her hair, styled by celebrity hairstylist Julianne Rae, added to the overall effect with subtle, shimmering braids that caught the eye of the camera.
Twitter exploded with praise for the Disney Channel alumna, hailing her as "Out of this world," "Stellar," and – yes – "May the style be with you!" Many fans drew inspiration from Zendaya’s sartorial splendor and linked her look to a beloved space opera. For example, some likened the overall sheen to Queen Amidala’s royal armor from Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (Episode I). Others likened the dress’s sculpted design to the Jedi’s iconic lightsaber. Others simply captioned Zendaya’s photos with phrases like "Padmé Nominative" and "Mon Mothma Reincarnate," references to characters from the epic sci-fi saga.
"I feel like I’m stepping onto the red carpet at Coruscant," praised Twitter user @GalacticSarah. "Zendaya slayed tonight! You did Dune proud"
"Dune 2 isn’t even out yet and we’re already getting May the Force be with her?" chimed in @ChewieFanForever, echoing sentiments from legions of fans worldwide. Others echoed, "What does this have to do with Dune? Nevermind, it’s the greatest look ever!"
At Dune’s premiere, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya’s on-screen partner, stopped just short of gushing: "Zendaya just broke the internet, quite honestly. I mean…what are you even…wearing?" he gesticulated, struggling for the right words. Fellow costar, Oscar Isaac, chuckled in agreement: "It’s like walking alongside a living, breathing light saber. She killed the game, man!"
Denis Villeneuve himself took to social media, tweeting a photo of the duo alongside the enigmatic caption: "Asimov’s laws notwithstanding… this look is impossible and yet… here it is."
With Zendaya leading the charge, her otherworldly style seems likely to capture the public imagination for the foreseeable future – at least until The Obi-Wan Kenobi series premieres its new season.
For fans eager to catch Zendaya channeling her inner Bene Gesserit warrior queen or navigating the treacherous politics of Arrakis in Dune Part 2, mark your calendars: the film hits theaters next month.