According to a Variety report published October 23, 2026, Zendaya is expected to campaign for lead actress at the Oscars for her role as Chani in Dune: Part Three, according to multiple sources. The reported strategy moves her out of supporting actress, where she was placed for the first two Dune movies. Warner Bros. and Zendaya's representatives declined to comment on the category shift. Dune: Part Three takes place nearly two decades after Paul Atreides seized control of the Imperium, with Chani positioned at the center of the story's political fallout and growing mystery. Why the category change matters Dune: Part Three stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul alongside Jason Momoa , Florence Pugh , Rebecca Ferguson , Anya Taylor Joy , Robert Pattinson , Javier Bardem , Josh Brolin , Charlotte Rampling and Isaach de Bankolé . The film is the final chapter in Denis Villeneuve's science fiction saga, and Chani's expanded role gives Zendaya a much larger awards case than the earlier installments did. The lead actress campaign arrives during a packed year for Zendaya, who turns 30 in 2026. Zendaya is also expected to compete in lead actress for The Drama, where she plays literary editor Emma Harwood opposite Robert Pattinson, and in supporting actress for The Odyssey, in which she plays Athena alongside Anne Hathaway, Samantha Morton and Charlize Theron. Zendaya also returned as MJ in Spider Man: Brand New Day, another billion dollar hit that ranks among the highest grossing movies of all time. With two Emmys already on her shelf for playing Rue in Euphoria, Zendaya could become one of awards season's busiest contenders across multiple films and categories.