In 2024, AMC Theaters went viral after moviegoers discovered that the sandworm-inspired popcorn bucket for “Dune: Part Two” was…suggestive, to say the least. The iconic ship was the subject of countless memes and was later immortalized on “Saturday Night Live” in a sketch about a teenager with other plans for the souvenir container.
The movie chain today revealed two new designs set to break the Internet for the upcoming “Dune: Part Three.” There’s a “Sandworm Thumper” with a “functional Thumper design” (this is the device the Fremans used to pound desert sand and attract giant sandworms) and a collectible “Double Sandworm” featuring two Shai-Huluds, “making it easier to share popcorn,” according to AMC’s press release. Prices will be announced later. (Cartridges for “Dune: Part Deux” were $24.99 plus tax, but sold for a lot more on secondary marketplaces like eBay.)
AMC’s “Dune: Part Three” collection also includes an Atreides-Fremen light-up mug, a Spacing Guild Navigator mug, mystery keychains and a sandworm plush. These items will be available exclusively at AMC cinemas as well as Odeon cinemas across Europe.
“The AMC Sandworm Popcorn Bucket for ‘Dune: Part Two’ became a viral phenomenon, and we knew ‘Dune’ fans would have high expectations for what came next,” said Hank Green, AMC senior vice president of food and beverage. “From the moment we began planning the ‘Dune: Part Three’ collectibles, our goal was to exceed fan expectations. The Sandworm Thumper and Double Sandworm collectibles take the experience to the next level with designs taken directly from the film.”
‘Double Sandworm’ Collectible Includes Two Shai-Hulud, “Making Popcorn Sharing Easy,” According to AMC
The “Sandworm Thumper” has a “functional Thumper design”. (This is the device used by the Fremans to pound desert sand and attract giant sandworms)
Popcorn buckets have been a major revenue source for AMC, with CEO Adam Aron predicting the circuit will bring in more than $100 million this year from the themed boxes. Other recent cartridges include a Trojan horse for “The Odyssey,” a clear bucket for A24’s twisty Elizabeth Holmes documentary “You Can See Everything” and a giant gray sperm whale for the Disney thriller “Whalefall.”
Directed by Denis Villenueve and based on the novel by Frank Herbert, “Dune 3” concludes the sci-fi trilogy as Timothée Chalamet’s messianic Paul Atreides is forced to deal with the fallout from his ascension to the throne. Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and Rebecca Ferguson round out the star-studded cast. “Dune: Part Three” hits theaters on December 18, the same day as “Avengers: Doomsday.” Disney’s Marvel epic is set to set the box office on fire, but will Earth’s Mightiest Heroes have a bucket of popcorn that breaks the Internet?
Gn entert
