Zendaya is stepping into the spotlight for awards season with a new campaign strategy for Dune: Part Three. According to Variety, the actress will seek Oscar consideration in the Best Actress category for her portrayal of Chani in Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming sci-fi sequel. The decision marks a change from the first two films, for which she was positioned in the supporting actress category.
Why Is Zendaya Campaigning for Best Actress?
The category shift reflects Chani’s expanded role in the third installment of the franchise. Set nearly two decades after Paul Atreides takes control of the Imperium, Dune: Part Three follows the emperor as he confronts growing threats, political conspiracies, and the consequences of his power.
With Chani at the center of the unfolding story, Zendaya is expected to have a more prominent presence in the film. Timothée Chalamet returns as Paul, alongside a star-studded cast that includes Florence Pugh, Jason Momoa, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson, and Javier Bardem.
Warner Bros. is scheduled to release Dune: Part Three in theaters and IMAX on December 18, 2026.
A Major Year for Zendaya
The potential Oscar campaign comes during a busy year for Zendaya. She also stars opposite Robert Pattinson in Kristoffer Borgli’s dark romantic comedy The Drama, with her performance set to compete in the lead actress category.
The Drama remains another bright sport in 2026 that I think will be remembered well beyond this year. I personally loved Robert Pattinson & Zendaya together as a pair – they worked well together & their chemistry made this story feel natural. I’m a huge fan of a well-done rom-com & this fit the bill. The Drama is fairly high up on my ‘26 rankings.
— Cinema Tweets (@CinemaTweets1) October 12, 2026
Additionally, she appears as Athena in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, for which she will pursue supporting actress recognition. She also reprises her role as MJ in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Could Zendaya Earn Her First Oscar Nomination?
Zendaya has already established herself as an award-winning performer, earning two Emmy Awards for Euphoria and a Golden Globe for the same role. Despite her success, she has yet to receive an Academy Award nomination.
With multiple high-profile films arriving in 2026, Zendaya could be a major presence throughout this year’s awards season.
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