The Dune sandworm, which popped up in the orchestra playing the harp in a moment reminiscent of O’Brien’s early late-night days, initially was going to command even more screen time.

"He said [he] read the first 'Dune' back in the '60s and he was so grateful to have lived long enough to see Paul ride the sandworm in a way he envisioned his entire life." Denis Villeneuve is ...