Bringing spice to a so-far lean movie year, Warner Bros.' new sci-fi film Dune: Part Two&nbsp;shot to the top of the North American box office this weekend, taking in an estimated $81.5 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

"This is an outstanding opening" for a sci-fi sequel, said analyst David A. Gross, adding that a sprawling international cast including Anya Taylor-Joy, Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Lea Seydoux and Javier Bardem had provided an added boost.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-dune-part-two-review-timoth%C3%A9e-chalamet-headlines-a-visually-stunning-coming-of-age-drama-695529">Dune: Part Two review: Timothée Chalamet headlines a visually stunning coming of age drama</a>

Denis Villeneuve's epic sequel to the original Dune&nbsp;-- based on Frank Herbert's 1965 novel about war and survival on the deeply inhospitable desert planet of Arrakis -- saw the young year's largest opening, roughly doubling the original film's opening. Dune: Part Two&nbsp;has taken in an additional $97 million abroad.&nbsp;

Its strong opening left the box office leader of the past two weekends, Paramount's Bob Marley: One Love,&nbsp;in the dust -- or sand -- as the biopic took in just $7.4 million for second place. British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir stars as the iconic reggae singer.

In third were the latest episodes of Fathom Events and Angel Studios' faith-based The Chosen,&nbsp;on the life of Jesus Christ, at $3.9 million. Egyptian-born Jonathan Roumie plays Jesus in the crowdfunded series.

The fourth spot went to Lionsgate's true-life drama Ordinary Angels,&nbsp;at $3.8 million. Hilary Swank stars as a Kentucky hairdresser who rallies her town to help a widower with a gravely ill daughter.

Sony's Madame Web,&nbsp;a Spider-Man&nbsp;spinoff starring Dakota Johnson, placed fifth for the weekend at $3.2 million.&nbsp;

Rounding out the top 10 were:

Migration&nbsp;($2.5 million)

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba&nbsp;($2.1 million)

Wonka&nbsp;($1.7 million)

Argylle&nbsp;($1.4 million)

The Beekeeper&nbsp;($1.1 million)

Bringing spice to a so-far lean movie year, Warner Bros.' new sci-fi film Dune: Part Two shot to the top of the North American box office this weekend, taking in an estimated $81.

Bringing spice to a so-far lean movie year, Warner Bros.' new sci-fi film Dune: Part Two shot to the top of the North American box office this weekend, taking in an estimated $81.5 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday. "This is an outstanding opening" for a sci-fi sequel, said analyst David A. Gross, adding that a sprawling international cast including Anya Taylor-Joy, Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Lea Seydoux and Javier Bardem had provided an added boost. Dune: Part Two review: Timothée Chalamet headlines a visually stunning coming of age drama Denis Villeneuve's epic sequel to the original Dune -- based on Frank Herbert's 1965 novel about war and survival on the deeply inhospitable desert planet of Arrakis -- saw the young year's largest opening, roughly doubling the original film's opening. Dune: Part Two has taken in an additional $97 million abroad. Its strong opening left the box office leader of the past two weekends, Paramount's Bob Marley: One Love, in the dust -- or sand -- as the biopic took in just $7.4 million for second place. British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir stars as the iconic reggae singer. In third were the latest episodes of Fathom Events and Angel Studios' faith-based The Chosen, on the life of Jesus Christ, at $3.9 million. Egyptian-born Jonathan Roumie plays Jesus in the crowdfunded series. The fourth spot went to Lionsgate's true-life drama Ordinary Angels, at $3.8 million. Hilary Swank stars as a Kentucky hairdresser who rallies her town to help a widower with a gravely ill daughter. Sony's Madame Web, a Spider-Man spinoff starring Dakota Johnson, placed fifth for the weekend at $3.2 million. Rounding out the top 10 were: Migration ($2.5 million) Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba ($2.1 million) Wonka ($1.7 million) Argylle ($1.4 million) The Beekeeper ($1.1 million)

Timothee Chalamet's Dune: Part Two gets staggering opening at North America box office

Forget Austin Butler as Elvis,&nbsp;now it's time for Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. For his role in Dune: Part Two, Elvis has gone through a major transformation, as he chose to go bald and without eyebrows. 
 
Elvis's first look from the highly anticipated movie was released last year in May and took over the social media. Months later, Elvis is now talking about his villainous look in Denis Villeneuve’s film. 
 
The actor, 32, recently appeared on Thursday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he discussed the sequel with his co-stars, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh. When asked about what it was like carrying a bald and no-eyebrow look, the actor said it was quite liberating.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/new-jersey-comes-west-to-kick-off-grammy-weekend-with-native-sons-jon-bon-jovi-and-bruce-springsteen-686815">New Jersey comes West to kick off Grammy weekend with native sons Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen</a> 
 
“Austin, did you miss your eyebrows making this movie?,” host Kimmel asked.&nbsp; 
 
“It was so liberating not having eyebrows," Butler replied. “You don’t realize how much they weigh you down,” he added with a laugh. “I was just streamlined." 
 
After his first look at the movie was released, many fans wondered whether Austin chose to shave his head and eyebrows for his role. To this, the answer is a big no. 
 
“I was going to a job right after and with this director named Jeff Nichols,” Butler explained before adding. “And Jeff said, ‘They can afford to make you bald cap but we can’t really make you hair. So can you just get a bald cap?' So that’s what I did.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-jamie-lee-curtis-celebrates-25-years-of-sobriety-there-are-others-out-here-who-care-686801">Jamie Lee Curtis celebrates 25 years of sobriety: 'There are others out here who care'</a>

The sculpted bald cap covered Elvis's head and his eyebrows. "We had the most amazing hair and makeup team and they sculpted,” Butler said. 
 
It took around three hours daily for the makeup.&nbsp; 
 
In Dune: Part Two, Butler is the nephew of Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) and the brother of Glossu Rabban (Dave Bautista). He's the member of the clan, who killed Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac). 
&nbsp;

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Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Part Two promises to be action-packed and will see Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, along with Rebecca Ferguson, reprising their roles. The new stars joining the movie are Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Léa Seydoux. 
 
Dune: Part Two will hit theatres on March 1, 2024.

&nbsp;

Forget Austin Butler as Elvis, now it's time for Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. For his role in Dune: Part Two, Elvis has gone through a major transformation, as he chose to go bald and without eyebrows.

Forget Austin Butler as Elvis, now it's time for Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. For his role in Dune: Part Two, Elvis has gone through a major transformation, as he chose to go bald and without eyebrows. Elvis's first look from the highly anticipated movie was released last year in May and took over the social media. Months later, Elvis is now talking about his villainous look in Denis Villeneuve’s film. The actor, 32, recently appeared on Thursday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he discussed the sequel with his co-stars, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh. When asked about what it was like carrying a bald and no-eyebrow look, the actor said it was quite liberating. New Jersey comes West to kick off Grammy weekend with native sons Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen “Austin, did you miss your eyebrows making this movie?,” host Kimmel asked. “It was so liberating not having eyebrows," Butler replied. “You don’t realize how much they weigh you down,” he added with a laugh. “I was just streamlined." After his first look at the movie was released, many fans wondered whether Austin chose to shave his head and eyebrows for his role. To this, the answer is a big no. “I was going to a job right after and with this director named Jeff Nichols,” Butler explained before adding. “And Jeff said, ‘They can afford to make you bald cap but we can’t really make you hair. So can you just get a bald cap?' So that’s what I did.” Jamie Lee Curtis celebrates 25 years of sobriety: 'There are others out here who care' The sculpted bald cap covered Elvis's head and his eyebrows. "We had the most amazing hair and makeup team and they sculpted,” Butler said. It took around three hours daily for the makeup. In Dune: Part Two, Butler is the nephew of Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) and the brother of Glossu Rabban (Dave Bautista). He's the member of the clan, who killed Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac). Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Part Two promises to be action-packed and will see Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, along with Rebecca Ferguson, reprising their roles. The new stars joining the movie are Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Léa Seydoux. Dune: Part Two will hit theatres on March 1, 2024.

Did Austin Butler shave his head and eyebrows for real in Dune 2? Actor reveals

Dune: Part Two will hit theatres two weeks earlier than originally scheduled, with Warner Bros. and Legendary announcing a new release date of March 1, 2024, as opposed to the previously set date of March 15, 2024.

The decision to advance the release date follows Universal's shift of The Fall Guy from March 1 to May 3, creating an opportunity for Dune: Part Two to fill the gap and attract audiences during the spring break period. The film will be available in various formats, including Imax and Imax 70 mm, with a two- to three-week run in Imax, potentially longer based on the competitive landscape post-release.

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The move comes after a delay earlier this year due to an actors' strike, with Warner Bros and Legendary prioritising promotional efforts with key stars like Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Part Two promises to be an action-packed, epic war movie with new faces like Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Léa Seydoux joining the cast. Villeneuve envisions a denser narrative exploring new locations, steering clear of any repetition from the first instalment.

If successful, Villeneuve has expressed interest in creating one more Dune film to conclude his time with the franchise. Fans can now expect an earlier return to the Dune universe on March 1, 2024, with the film set to be available in a variety of formats, including Imax. 
&nbsp;

Dune: Part Two will hit theatres two weeks earlier than originally scheduled, with Warner Bros. and Legendary announcing a new release date of March 1, 2024, as opposed to the previously set date of March 15, 2024.

Dune: Part Two will hit theatres two weeks earlier than originally scheduled, with Warner Bros. and Legendary announcing a new release date of March 1, 2024, as opposed to the previously set date of March 15, 2024. The decision to advance the release date follows Universal's shift of The Fall Guy from March 1 to May 3, creating an opportunity for Dune: Part Two to fill the gap and attract audiences during the spring break period. The film will be available in various formats, including Imax and Imax 70 mm, with a two- to three-week run in Imax, potentially longer based on the competitive landscape post-release. The move comes after a delay earlier this year due to an actors' strike, with Warner Bros and Legendary prioritising promotional efforts with key stars like Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Part Two promises to be an action-packed, epic war movie with new faces like Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, and Léa Seydoux joining the cast. Villeneuve envisions a denser narrative exploring new locations, steering clear of any repetition from the first instalment. If successful, Villeneuve has expressed interest in creating one more Dune film to conclude his time with the franchise. Fans can now expect an earlier return to the Dune universe on March 1, 2024, with the film set to be available in a variety of formats, including Imax.

Dune: Part Two to hit theatres two weeks early. Here's the new release date

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Timothee Chalamet's Dune: Part Two gets staggering opening at North America box office

Did Austin Butler shave his head and eyebrows for real in Dune 2? Actor reveals

Dune: Part Two to hit theatres two weeks early. Here's the new release date