While many directors might employ CGI in bringing the epic universe of Dune to life, Denis Villeneuve instead opted to do much of the film practically. Villeneuve and star Timothée Chalamet have now commented on the choice to shoot Dune on location and the effect it had on the production.
During the debut event for the Dune trailer, host Stephen Colbert asked Chalamet about Paul's adaptability and its relationship to acting. Chalamet replied, "You feel the environment, specifically for the role of Paul. [...] I think I did two scenes on a green screen. I think it's literally two scenes I did on a green screen, and besides that everything else was practical."
Following that question, Colbert asked Villeneuve what it meant to really be on location. "One condition I had to shoot the movie was that I wanted to shoot in the real desert," Villeneuve responded. "My argument was that they didn't shoot Jaws in a swimming pool. The title is Dune. We needed to be in the real environment, so we will be inspired by the infinity. [...] At its very core, it's a tragedy about the family going into a new environment."
Chalamet added, "When you're shooting in the desert in Jordan, the spirituality of the location [...] you're really in it."
Later in the event, various other cast members echoed Chalamet's sentiments, noting that the environment had an effect on their performances.
You can read Warner Bros. plot synopsis for the film below:
A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve from a script he co-wrote with Eric Roth and Jon Spaihts, Legendary Pictures' Dune stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Zendaya as Chani, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Oscar Isaac as Duke Leto Atreides, Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, Javier Bardem as Stilgar, Chang Chen as Dr. Wellington Yueh, Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Dr. Liet Kynes, Charlotte Rampling as Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, Dave Bautista Glossu Rabban, David Dastmalchian as Piter De Vries, Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, Stephen Henderson as Thufir Hawat, and Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck. The film arrives in theaters Dec. 18.