Emirati Stunt Performer Brings Authentic Desert Action to ‘Dune: Part Three’ / Image – Mohammed Faisal Mostafa
When audiences watch the sweeping desert battles of Dune: Part Three later this year, they will be seeing more than the spectacular landscapes of Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Desert. Hidden behind the breathtaking action sequences is an Emirati performer whose journey is helping put the UAE’s growing film industry firmly on Hollywood’s map.Mohammed F. Mostafa, an Emirati stunt performer, has become one of the local talents working alongside some of the world’s biggest filmmakers on director Denis Villeneuve’s final chapter of the acclaimed Dune trilogy. For Mostafa, the opportunity goes beyond appearing in a major Hollywood production, it represents a chance to showcase Emirati talent, culture and the country’s unique desert environment to audiences around the world. Filmed across Abu Dhabi’s spectacular Liwa Desert, Dune: Part Three once again transforms the UAE’s vast dunes into the fictional planet of Arrakis, continuing a partnership between Warner Bros., Legendary Entertainment and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission that has grown stronger with every instalment of the franchise.Speaking about the experience, he said that collaborating with internationally renowned filmmakers while showcasing the UAE’s desert landscape filled him with pride. “Working with some of the world’s leading film creatives and being able to bring the authenticity of how a nation works harmoniously within a desert environment gave me great pride as an Emirati.”He added that seeing the country’s landscapes and local talent appear on cinema screens worldwide would further strengthen international recognition of the UAE as both a filming destination and a source of creative professionals. Mostafa is no stranger to breaking new ground. In 2023, he became the first Emirati actor to secure a significant role in the international Apple TV+ thriller Hijack, starring Idris Elba. At the time, he said he hoped his success would inspire more Emiratis to pursue careers in acting and filmmaking, stressing that local talent deserves opportunities on the global stage.The dramatic dunes of Liwa have become one of the defining visual elements of the Dune franchise.Director Denis Villeneuve once again chose Abu Dhabi’s desert landscape to portray Arrakis because of its vast, untouched sand dunes and cinematic natural scenery. The production returned to the UAE after earlier films successfully used the emirate’s deserts to recreate Frank Herbert’s iconic fictional world. According to the Creative Media Authority Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, the latest production spent 31 days filming in Abu Dhabi, including two days in Al Ain. The shoot involved:
- 206 local crew members
- 12 UAE-based stunt performers
- 336 local contractors and drivers
- 38 people appearing in crowd scenes
- Six Emirati interns working behind the scenes in production roles
The production was supported by the Creative Media Authority Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, Image Nation Abu Dhabi, and local production services company Epic Films. It also benefited from Abu Dhabi’s long-running cashback rebate programme, which has helped attract more than 180 international film and television productions to the emirate.The growing partnership between Hollywood studios and Abu Dhabi is being welcomed by both international filmmakers and local authorities.Sam Kozhaya, Executive Vice President of Operations and Corporate Development at Legendary Entertainment, said the Dune trilogy reflects a relationship with Abu Dhabi that has developed over more than a decade.He said the collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to producing world-class films while strengthening the emirate’s position as an international filmmaking destination. Hollywood star Jason Momoa, who returns as Duncan Idaho in Dune: Part Three, has also spoken warmly about filming in the UAE.Describing his time in Abu Dhabi’s deserts as one of the highlights of the production, Momoa said the cast experienced places and moments that few people ever get to witness, with long filming days began before sunrise and ended after sunset to capture the desert’s unique natural light.For Abu Dhabi, Dune: Part Three represents more than another blockbuster filmed in the desert. It highlights years of investment in developing a world-class film industry capable of supporting complex international productions.The film features an all-star cast led by Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson and Javier Bardem, under the direction of Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Denis Villeneuve. For Mohammed F. Mostafa, however, the project’s greatest achievement is what it represents for future generations of Emirati creatives. Every stunt sequence performed by local professionals, every sweeping shot of the Liwa Desert and every behind-the-scenes contribution demonstrates that the UAE is no longer simply a spectacular filming location, it is becoming an important contributor to global cinema.As Dune: Part Three prepares for its international release in December, audiences around the world will once again see Abu Dhabi transformed into Arrakis. Behind that cinematic illusion lies a growing community of Emirati talent proving that the country’s role in Hollywood extends far beyond its breathtaking desert landscapes. Go to Source
