‘Dune’: Oscar Isaac Reveals ‘Musty’ Prank He Pulled After His Nude Scene
Based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, Dune might be one of the most-talked-about sci-fi epics in years. But the movie offers a lot more than just spectacle. In addition to its rich themes, Dune features a gifted ensemble cast of actors, each of whom have important roles to play in the coming-of-age journey facing Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet). And even when he was done filming, Oscar Isaac found a “musty” way of leaving his mark on the set.
Oscar Isaac has a critical supporting role in sci-fi epic ‘Dune’
In Dune, Isaac plays Leto Atreides, the duke of House Atreides and Paul’s father. As such, he is one of several mentor figures that help shape Paul on his journey. Paul’s mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), also plays a major role in the story, as do Josh Brolin’s Gurney Halleck and Jason Momoa’s Duncan Idaho. But Isaac’s character perhaps features the most tragic arc of any of the characters in Dune.
Of course, Isaac is no stranger to larger-than-life sci-fi epics. From 2015 to 2019, he played Poe Dameron in the Star Wars saga, for which George Lucas credits Dune as a major influence. Isaac also played the title role in 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse and will return to voice a key character in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One). But his experience on Dune was so memorable that Isaac wanted to ensure his presence lingered on set.
The actor wanted director Denis Villeneuve to remember him
During a climactic confrontation with Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård), Leto appears nude before him. As Isaac told Entertainment Weekly, this moment was among the most memorable of his experience making Dune. And he was having so much fun that he was inspired to play a prank on director Denis Villeneuve.
“Everything about it was just so scary. [Leto has] been stripped of his clothing. There was some thought, I think originally, like, ‘he doesn’t have to be naked.’ I was like, ‘No, he should be naked, man.’ It’s like Christ on the cross kind of moment. So we came up with a few different ideas of what his posture would be. … At one point, when Denis wasn’t looking, I may have left my c–k sock in his pocket, just so he just had a little bit of me next to him when I left. Just a little, musty handkerchief.”
No word yet on how Villeneuve felt about his unexpected souvenir. But regardless, learning how much levity went into the production of such an intense scene is a fun behind-the-scenes tidbit for fans. Even though some might have wanted Isaac to have more screen time in Dune, Isaac certainly makes an impact when he is on screen.
Oscar Isaac could return as Leto Atreides in future ‘Dune’ films
Even though the story doesn’t seem to have a place for him, there is the oft chance Isaac could return to Dune at some point. After all, the sci-fi universe Herbert built is filled with endless possibilities. So even if Isaac doesn’t pop up in Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, he could always reappear in future Dune projects.
A prequel spinoff series, Dune: The Sisterhood, is in the works for HBO Max with Villeneuve producing, according to Deadline. In the book series, Leto Atreides is an instrumental part of the Prelude to Dune trilogy. So perhaps Isaac and Villeneuve will cross paths again down the line. If so, here’s hoping fans get an update on Isaac’s “musty” prank.
