‘Heartstroke’ figures into Zendaya’s Dune survival story
Zendaya recalls that making Dune wasn’t all movie magic — unexpected Arrakis challenges included one frightening moment she still can’t shake.
Out in the Jordan desert, where Dune films many of its Arrakis exteriors, Zendaya says she pushed through a long day in a restrictive stillsuit by drinking less water — and paid for it. In a new interview with W Magazine, the actor recalled getting heatstroke on set after deliberately limiting her intake to avoid wrestling with the elaborate costume.
“No, I thought I was being smart. So lesson learned.”
Zendaya described phoning her mother from a bathroom floor because she felt so sick, only to be asked the obvious question: had she been hydrating? She admitted she hadn’t, worried the suit — which she said can take around ten minutes to get out of for a bathroom break — would make that a problem.
The incident came even after months of intense training for Challengers. Peak conditioning didn’t beat the reality of Arrakis gear baked in real desert heat, and the actor said she quickly abandoned the “drink less” plan.
Inside Chani’s wardrobe
Zendaya also shouted out the thought that went into dressing Chani. Costume designers Jacqueline West and Bob Morgan built a world where the clothes look striking but function first: textured fabrics that blend into the rocky landscape, desert-born colors, and layers that move like wind and sand.
- Flowing wraps and gauzy layers were added to soften the Fremen silhouettes and bring a touch of romance.
- Chani’s sandworm-riding look was upgraded with added armor for protection.
- Fabrics and finishes were chosen to disappear into Jordan’s stony hues and harsh light.
- Each stillsuit was engineered from more than 100 custom pattern pieces.