Zendaya and Florence Pugh share their reactions to the powerful Dune: Part Two ending and where the story leaves Chani and Princess Irulan.

Zendaya as Chani juxtaposed with Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan in Dune: Part Two

Dune: Part Two stars Zendaya and Florence Pugh react to the film’s “painful” ending moments. Picking up where 2021’s Dune ended, Denis Villeneuve’s anticipated sequel is now out in theatres, continuing the story of Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides and his fight against the Harkonnens. The sequel, which has been met with overwhelmingly positive reviews, ends on a powerful note, with Paul deciding to marry Pugh’s Princess Irulan in order to form an alliance, which comes as quite a betrayal to Zendaya’s Chani.

In a recent interview with ComicBook.com, Zendaya and Pugh share their thoughts regarding the Dune: Part Two ending. The two actors both highlight the tragedy in Paul’s decision, with Pugh also teasing that it sets up more story to come. Check out their comments below:

Zendaya: “I feel like it’s heartbreak. There’s heartbreak, there’s betrayal, there’s loss and confusion. I feel like it’s quite a painful ending. It doesn’t end like, ‘Oh, someone won!’ It’s not that. [It’s] a lot of broken dreams and hearts.”

Florence Pugh: “I think, for me, when I read those final few pages, it made me suddenly go, ‘Ah, she’s far more knowledgeable than I thought she was,’ from Princess Irulan’s perspective. I think it’s truly a moment where she realizes her power and her position going forward and keeping her namesake and also realizing this is purely transactional and it’s a business decision. And I love that for her. After watching, for an entire movie, of her just listening and watching and taking things in, she’s as much a part of this decision as he is.

“And then there’s that moment between [Paul and Chani] at the end, which is just so heartbreaking, and I truly believe [Irulan] clocks that. I think she understands what this means. Through [Chani’s] very beautiful, sad face, does she understand that this was not part of the plan, which means that, realistically, she’s needed in this deal as much as she needs them. So there’s a lot that’s going on underneath everything. It doesn’t feel good. It purely makes you ready for what’s going to happen next, which is very, very exciting.”

How Dune: Part Two’s Ending Sets Up Dune 3

What’s Next For Paul Atreides?

Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Dune: Part Two

As retribution for his attack on House Atreides, Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) finally meets his end, with Paul stabbing the ruthless ruler in the neck. Paul also successfully takes down Austin Butler’s Feyd-Rautha, but spares Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken), even though the royal figure is the one who orchestrated House Atreides’ downfall. The film ends with Chani heading out into the desert alone, betrayed and angry, as Paul solidifies his power through marriage.

One of the key aspects of Frank Herbert’s Dune book that Villeneuve has expressed his interest in capturing is that the story of Paul Atreides is really a tragic tale that can be read as a warning. The young warrior is seen as a messianic figure among the Fremen, something that Chani is skeptical of. Chani even proclaims that the “Chosen One” prophecy “is how they enslave us,” but it falls on deaf ears. Paul’s ascension sets up the events of Dune: Messiah.

Without delving too far into spoilers from Herbert’s Dune: Messiah, a big part of the story is the immense damage that Paul’s rule does to the universe. By leaning into the messiah prophecy, Paul starts a bloody campaign that gets out of control. Whether a third film happens will depend on how well Dune: Part Two does at the box office, but the ending to the sequel clearly affirms that the epic tale isn’t over yet.