"Dune" has finally arrived.
The Denis Villeneuve-directed science-fiction film, adapted from the 1965 bestselling novel by Frank Herbert, hit theaters Friday.
The long-awaited film, which runs for two hours and 35 minutes but still only covers around half of Herbert's classic, has already received praise from many critics and fans alike.
With its star-studded cast, which includes Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Javier Bardem and Jason Momoa among many others, "Dune" is certainly not one to miss.
Many of the film's stars stopped by "Good Morning America" ahead of the release to chat about their favorite parts of making the epic.
Check out some of their highlights and recollections from filming below.
Oscar Isaac on his role and Herbert's story
"Dune" centers around Paul Atreides (Chalamet), the heir to the House of the Atreides, who is "born into a great destiny beyond his understanding."
He travels with his family from their home of Caladan to the land of Arrakis, also known as the desert planet of "Dune," after his father, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) is put in control of Arrakis.
While appearing on "GMA," Isaac described the House of the Atreides as the "most noble house" and "the reference point for everyone else, either as an enemy or an ally."
"They've been tasked with taking over Dune, Arrakis, which has spice, which is like oil," Isaac explained. "The truth is this story is the story of human civilization ... and the clashes of cultures."
"This guy has to go to this planet and take his family there and he knows it's a trap, he knows he's being set up to fail, but he's wondering if there's a way to take advantage of this situation," Isaac added.
Chalamet says film was 'made' to be seen in theaters
Chalamet said making the film was a "truly special" experience for him, especially due to how it was shot.
"A lot of movies in Hollywood now, for better or worse, are made on green screens, they're made in studios, especially with the pandemic. It's safer, it's more controlled that way," he said.
"This is a movie we shot entirely on location," the actor continued. "We were in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates in the desert."
Villeneuve previously told The New York Times that he spent several days in helicopters flying over the desert, scouting filming locations, as he would not use green screens for his "own mental sanity."
He said he opted to shoot only on location "to be able to inspire myself to find back that feeling I was looking for of isolation, of introspection."
Chalamet said the best way to see "Dune" is heading to the theaters to watch on the big screen.
.@RealChalamet on @dunemovie: "If you're a fan of movies, if you're a fan of big movies, a fan of cinema, this is a movie you have to see in theaters. It was made for theaters.” https://t.co/o3FCyKjxtw #DuneMovie pic.twitter.com/rggghr05JZ
— Good Morning America (@GMA) October 18, 2021
"It was made for theaters, it was sound designed to be in theaters," he explained on "GMA," adding that Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer did the score for the film.
"It's a movie that shakes the theater," Chalamet said.
Zendaya called making the film 'one of the coolest experiences' of her life
Zendaya plays Chani, a character Villeneuve has said will have a bigger role in the film's potential sequel, which seems likely, but hasn't been confirmed by the studio yet.
The actress said she is absolutely on board for that project if it does come to fruition.
"This is such a beautiful story and it's really only part one," she explained on "GMA," adding the she feels there is "so much more to explore with these characters, with this world."
"I think Denis has done a beautiful job of setting it up for those who maybe haven't grown up with it in the same way, and I would love to be able to revisit these characters," she added.
Villeneuve told Vanity Fair in May that he "would not agree" to make just one movie from the first book, detailing that he felt the world of "Dune" is "too complex."
"It’s a world that takes its power in details," he said. The director explained that he originally wanted to make both films about the first "Dune" book at the same time.
MORE: Zendaya talks potential 'Dune' sequel"I wanted at the beginning to do the two parts simultaneously," he shared in an interview with Variety. "For several reasons, it didn’t happen, and I agreed to the challenge of making part one and then wait to see if the movie rings enough enthusiasm. As I was doing the the first part, I really put all my passion into it, in case it would be the only one. But I’m optimistic."
Although it seems to be all but confirmed, fans will have to wait for the official word from Warner Bros. on "Dune Part 2."
From the reviews already in for part one, Villeneuve's version appears to be faring better than David Lynch's 1984 adaption of the novel.
"Dune" is out in theaters now and available to stream on HBO Max.
