HOLLYWOOD star Zendaya is set to launch a bid for a Best Actress Oscar for her role in Dune: Part Three.
She played a supporting role as Chani in director Denis Villeneuve’s first two blockbuster films in the science fiction series.
But now is tipped to be pushing for the top category, which insiders said better represents her character’s expanded role in the latest film.
The third instalment is set almost 20 years after character, sandworm-riding Paul Atreides, took control of the space empire.
Zendaya’s Chani will be at the centre of the mystery which unfolds during the film, which also stars Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Javier Bardem and Robert Pattinson.
A source said: “Zendaya’s role is far bigger in the third film and could easily put her in contention for a Best Actress nomination. The team will push for her to be considered by the Academy.”
Dune: Part Three has already started breaking records more than a month before its general release on December 18.
On the first day of pre-sales, the movie sold 33,000 tickets in 24 hours at London’s BFI Imax, grossing £880,000 for the film.
The figure smashed the record set by another of Zendaya’s films, which took £750,000 at the same venue ahead of its release back in July.
Dune: Part Three finishes a huge year for Zendaya, who could find herself nominated in multiple categories at the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles in March.
As well as The Odyssey, she has also appeared in romantic comedy The Drama and reprised her role as MJ in Spider-Man: Brand New Day — alongside husband — which is the biggest-selling film of the year so far, making £1.8billion worldwide.
