Zendaya is “Dune’s” leading lady.
Multiple sources tell Variety that Zendaya will campaign for Oscar consideration in the lead actress category for her role as Chani in “Dune: Part Three,” the final chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic. The move marks a shift from the first two films, where she was positioned in supporting actress.
Warner Bros. and representatives for Zendaya declined to comment.
The decision reflects Chani’s expanded role in the story. “Dune: Part Three” is set nearly two decades after Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) seized control of the Imperium. Now a ruthless emperor, Paul must face the consequences of his reign as old allies return, terrifying new threats emerge and betrayal lurks in every shadow. Haunted by visions of imperial collapse and the reappearance of his long-lost love, Paul is drawn into a sweeping conspiracy, with Chani at the heart of its unfolding mystery. As rebellion brews and enemies close in, Paul must confront the true cost of power and the fate of those he loves most. The film also stars Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Charlotte Rampling and Isaach de Bankolé.
The film caps a stellar year for the 30-year-old multi-hyphenate, who could find herself in contention across multiple categories and films this season.
She kicked off 2026 starring as Emma Harwood, a literary editor who reveals shocking secrets, in the romantic dark comedy “The Drama” from writer-director Kristoffer Borgli. That performance, opposite Robert Pattinson, will also be submitted in lead.
She followed it with her turn as Athena in Christopher Nolan’s billion-dollar mythological adaptation “The Odyssey,” where she will vie for supporting actress recognition alongside co-stars Anne Hathaway, Samantha Morton and Charlize Theron.
She also reprised her role as MJ in Destin Daniel Cretton’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” another billion-dollar hit that now ranks among the highest-grossing films of all time.
Zendaya’s relatively brief career has already produced an impressive haul of hardware. She won two Emmys for her role as Rue in the HBO Max drama “Euphoria,” becoming the youngest two-time winner in the lead drama actress category. She picked up a Golden Globe in 2023 for the same role. In 2025, she earned two Golden Globe nominations for Luca Guadagnino’s tennis romance “Challengers,” one for lead actress in a comedy and another as a producer when the film was nominated for best picture (musical or comedy).
An Oscar nomination this year would be her first.
Warner Bros. will release “Dune: Part Three” in theaters and Imax on Dec. 18.
