Despite Timothée Chalamet’s remarkable press tour efforts, it seems that not every Academy voter caught up with one of his standout performances. Reports indicate that four anonymous Oscar voters admitted they had not yet watched Dune: Part Two as the 2025 Academy Awards approach.
In a recent discussion with Entertainment Weekly, a diverse group consisting of a director, a writer, a casting director, and a publicist shared their considerations for categories like Best Picture and Best Director. While buzz continues to build around Chalamet’s A Complete Unknown and other nominees such as Anora, Emilia Pérez, Wicked, and The Substance, all four voters surprisingly confessed to missing out on Dune: Part Two, which has secured five nominations, including Best Picture. This has left many puzzled—how could this happen?
It’s important to note that Oscar voters have the option to abstain from ranking nominees they haven’t seen. Other films that seemingly went unnoticed include Nickel Boys, I’m Still Here, and The Substance, but notably, Dune: Part Two was the only title none of the interviewed voters had watched.
The reason given for skipping Denis Villeneuve’s acclaimed sequel? One voter described the first Dune as “boring, ”stating, “The first Dune, I couldn’t get through; I’m not rushing for another three hours of Dune.”This stark opinion raises the question of whether individuals who aren’t eager to experience such significant films should be casting votes. As this revelation circulates, it’s sparking considerable controversy.
Given this situation, many are left wondering: why do voters participate in a selection process for films they haven’t viewed? This question is pivotal, particularly as the credibility of awards shows like the Oscars has faced scrutiny in recent years. The performance of movies like Dune: Part Two and Nickel Boys could be significantly impacted by such decisions, leading to renewed skepticism around the effectiveness of the voting system.
Dune: Part Two’s Impact
Dune: Part Two, the continuation of Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi saga, brought back Chalamet as Paul Atreides, alongside Zendaya (Chani), Rebecca Ferguson (Jessica), and new faces like Austin Butler (Feyd-Rautha) and Florence Pugh (Princess Irulan).The film achieved impressive box office numbers, earning over $80 million during its opening weekend in North America—an amount that doubled the first installment’s performance. By April 2024, it had grossed over $700 million worldwide, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.
Beyond its financial success, critical and audience reception of Dune 2 outstripped that of its predecessor, with the sequel boasting a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 95% audience score. Since its debut on Max in May of the previous year, the film has gained a substantial viewership. It’s surprising, then, that four Academy voters are yet to experience this cinematic achievement.
Chalamet remains a focal point in this awards season, recognized for his charming SAG Award acceptance speech and his work in both Dune 2 and A Complete Unknown. Whether you’re rooting for him or his other competitors, it’s crucial not to fall into the same trap as those anonymous voters; make sure to stream this year’s top nominees before the awards ceremony.
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