Imagine being a teen with dreams of starring in a sci-fi epic and soon landing an audition for a role in one of the most anticipated films of the decade. Sounds like Hollywood’s beyond ordinary reality, right? Well, for Jenna Ortega, it might have been almost true.
Recently, Ortega dropped a bombshell that has fans debating. She hinted at a secret audition for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune while she was still a teenager. Now, the burning question is: which coveted role was she vying for, and why didn’t she land it? Dive in to find out why Ortega’s casting tidbit has everyone questioning Denis Villeneuve’s decision not to cast her!
Jenna Ortega’s Dune Audition Ignited Debate Among Fans
Jenna Ortega recently made a big splash by revealing that she auditioned for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune when she was only 15! Now fans can’t stop wondering how the movie might have changed if she had been one of the characters. It’s too surprising to find out the Ortega was almost part of the film! When asked by BuzzFeed “What’s a role people would be surprised you auditioned for?” The 21-year-old said:
I think I auditioned for ‘Dune’ when I was about 15. I remember being a big fan of that film and that franchise and everything like that and being really excited for that interview because Denis [Villeneuve] is one of my favorite filmmakers.
Ortega, famous for her role as Wednesday Addams in Wednesday, is pretty sure she auditioned for a part she thinks was Chani, the role Zendaya ended up with.
I think it was Chani. I think it was Zendaya’s [role]. But they weren’t saying that. Everything was very secret.
People are debating if Jen would have been a better Chani, but there are also some who think Zendaya nailed the role. It’s a case of ‘what if’ versus ‘what is.’ Check out some fan reactions:
Reactions backing Zendaya:
Zendaya’s casting was announced in January 2019, so Ortega probably auditioned in late 2018. At the time, Zendaya was 22, six years older than Ortega.
Jenna Ortega Continues to Shine in Hollywood Despite Missing Dune Role
Jenna Ortega might have missed her chance to be Chani in Dune, but she’s been riding high ever since. Her hit show Wednesday is getting a second season, and horror fans might already know her from Scream and X. Rumor has it (via The Hollywood Reporter) she’s in talks to star with Glen Powell in a new J.J. Abrams flick, too. But her role as Astrid Deetz in Beetlejuice 2 could be her biggest yet!
Right now, Ortega is making the rounds promoting Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, where she plays Astrid, Lydia Deetz’s (Winona Ryder) daughter. It’s a fun reunion with Tim Burton, who also worked with her on Wednesday. Despite her own character, she seemed to love her co-star Ryder’s character the most. She said of the character:
Lydia is the coolest character on the planet. Just everything about it, I was terrified.
Earlier this month, Ortega even paid tribute to Lydia’s iconic look by donning a Thom Browne suit inspired by the original film’s final scene. Her outfit, complete with a blue cardigan, plaid skirt, and two-tone Mary Janes, has definitely given the press circuit some serious Beetlejuice Beetlejuice buzz!
Beetlejuice is set to release on September 6, 2024. Meanwhile, watch Dune on Amazon Prime Video.
Frequently asked questions
Which Dune role did Jenna Ortega audition for?
Ortega believes she read for Chani, the role that ultimately went to Zendaya. Speaking to BuzzFeed, she said the casting was kept very secret so she was never officially told which part it was, but her best guess is that it was Zendaya’s role. The article notes she was a big fan of the franchise and excited because Denis Villeneuve is one of her favorite filmmakers.
How old was Jenna Ortega when she auditioned for Dune?
Ortega said she was about 15 when she auditioned for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune. Since Zendaya’s casting as Chani was reported around January 2019, the article notes Ortega likely auditioned in late 2018. Zendaya, born in 1996, is roughly six years older than Ortega and was 22 around the time the role was cast.
What other projects is Jenna Ortega known for?
Ortega is famous for playing Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s Wednesday, which is getting a second season, and is known to horror fans from Scream and X. She plays Astrid Deetz in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, released September 6, 2024, and is reportedly in talks to star alongside Glen Powell in a new J.J. Abrams film, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
