Zendaya recounts harrowing conditions while filming 'Dune: Part Two' which led to a heatstroke

Zendaya talk about a heatstroke scare on Dune: Part Two set, teaching her the importance of staying hydrated.

Zendaya has opened up about an unpleasant experience while filming Dune: Part Two, recounting how extreme desert conditions in Jordan led to a dehydration-induced heatstroke. The actress revealed that the remote filming locations, coupled with cumbersome costumes, made accessing bathrooms a logistical challenge, prompting her to limit her water intake.

“It was very hot, and I remember thinking, ‘Oh, man, the bathrooms are so far away,’” Zendaya explained to W Magazine. “If you have to pee, you need at least 10 minutes to get out of the costumes.” Concerned about time constraints, she opted not to drink much water, but the decision had severe consequences.

“One day, I didn’t drink enough and I had a heatstroke. I felt so barfy. I remember calling my mom on the bathroom floor, saying, ‘I feel terrible.’ She was like, ‘Did you drink water today?’ I said no. I thought I was being smart, but you can’t do that. So, lesson learned,” Zendaya shared.

The acclaimed actress endured this ordeal while filming the sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, the first installment of which garnered six Oscars and grossed $1.12 billion globally with its follow-up. 

The franchise recently expanded with the Dune: Prophecy prequel series, while Villeneuve has confirmed plans to begin filming the third installment, Dune Messiah, in 2025 or 2026.