When the global pandemic came to grip every corner of the globe, the entertainment industry was left reeling. Where the Hollywood blockbuster had long come to dominate pop culture and conversation at large, suddenly movie theatres saw their doors shut off to the world. Some directors made the pivot to streaming services, while others simply deferred their projects entirely, hoping that when things began to return to some semblance of normality, audiences would once again return to the cinema.
Though many waited with bated breath to see whether such lofty ambitions would come to fruition, it was Dune that spelled the return of cinema as we once knew it. The highly-anticipated film made a $41 million USD domestic debut, with Denis Villeneuve’s incredible artistic display as a director drawing audiences around the world in droves. It didn’t take long for Legendary and Warner Bros. to announce that there would indeed be a sequel to the well-received film, detailing the second half of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi novel on which it is based. And for acclaimed actor Josh Brolin, it means his character Warmaster Gurney Halleck will once again hit the big screen, only in this instance in a bigger capacity than the first film.
With filming to commence shortly, Brolin is leaving nothing to chance when it comes to depicting his character. Deep into the physical preparation for the film, he’s given audiences a glimpse into just what his training entails in a video posted to his Instagram account. “20 squats, 20 dips, 20 Push ups in the sauna – 5 rounds after 225 degrees for 30 mins, followed by a 36 degree cold plunge for 5 mins after 25 circuit training workout for cardio and core without rest,” he captioned the post, adding: “And tons and tons of spice.”
The switch between a hot sauna to an ice cold bath is one that already makes your stomach turn at the thought, but it has a number of health benefits. The technique is one favoured by pro surfers and fitness entrepreneurs alike, with Laird Hamilton even getting behind the workout routine, saying he uses thermal exposure to “boost the system” and give himself a “good kick” first thing in the morning.
It’s not the first time Brolin has gone all-in on preparing for a role physically. Though the actor seems to be perpetually in jacked shape, five years ago he packed on a significant amount of mass to play the time-traveling superhero Cable in Deadpool 2. He also developed his horse riding skills in the more recent Western drama, Outer Range. With his unwavering dedication and commitment that he brings to each role, we can’t wait until Dune 2 lands on the big screen.
