Jenna Ortega believes she auditioned for a role in Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” about six years ago. In a recent interview with Buzzfeed, the 21-year-old actress expressed her excitement about meeting the director when the film was still in development.
“I think I auditioned for ‘Dune’ when I was about 15,” Ortega said when asked about surprising roles she had auditioned for. She recalled being a big fan of the franchise and looking forward to the opportunity to work with Villeneuve, whom she admires.
Ortega suspects she was auditioning for the role of Chani, which ultimately went to Zendaya. “I think it was Chani. I think it was Zendaya’s. But they weren’t saying that.
Everything was very secret,” she explained. Zendaya was reportedly cast in January 2019, suggesting that Villeneuve was meeting with potential actors, including Ortega, in the months prior.
This audition was not Ortega’s first experience in the industry. She has been acting since childhood. In a recent interview with The New York Times, she mentioned that while she sometimes regrets starting her career at a young age, she wouldn’t change her journey.
Reflecting on her childhood, Ortega said, “My mother saw how other kids weren’t protected or looked after. She watched over me like a hawk.” She expressed gratitude for her mother’s support and for being able to navigate the industry safely.
Currently, Ortega is promoting her new film, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” in which she plays Astrid, the daughter of Lydia Deetz, played by Winona Ryder. This sequel to the 1988 classic marks another collaboration between Ortega and director Tim Burton, following their work together on Netflix’s “Wednesday.”
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is set to hit theaters on September 6.
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