It’s simple why Chalamet was chosen to play Paul and it has nothing to do with pushing any kind of narrative. Dune had a production budget of $165 million. Producers needed a bankable star to get funding. They also needed a skilled actor who could convincingly play a teenager. Chalamet, 25, has been nominated for acting awards 92 times and won 39 times. He starred in nine films whose box office receipts combined equal almost $74 million.

Dune’s opening weekend netted $40.1 million. As of October 25, it has taken in $202 million worldwide. Only about half of Hollywood movies realize a profit. There was no one else they could have cast who could even bring close to all that to the table. Samuel L. Jackson is too old and the 10 to 20 million dollars he charges for his services weren’t in the budget. They got Chalamet for around $2 million. At the end of the day, these decisions are all about the money.