Jenna Ortega believes she auditioned for Denis Villeneuve's "Dune" adaptation six years ago. During a Buzzfeed interview, the actor said she was excited to meet the director when the project was still in development.

"I think I auditioned for 'Dune' when I was about 15," the 21-year-old actor said when asked, "What role would people be surprised to hear you audition for?" "I remember being a huge fan of that movie and that franchise and everything like that and I was really excited to do that interview because Denis [Villeneuve] is one of my favorite filmmakers."

Ortega also shared that she believes she was reading for the role of Chani, played by Zendaya in both "Dune" entries: "I think it was Chani. I think it was Zendaya's. But they didn't say that. It was all very secret."

Zendaya was reportedly cast in "Dune" in January 2019, meaning Villeneuve likely met with actors, possibly including Ortega, in the months leading up to it. Zendaya, who is 27, is six years older than Ortega. Timothée Chalamet, who plays "Dune's" protagonist and Chani's love interest Paul Atreides, is 28.