Remember when AMC Theatres released that infamous sandworm popcorn bucket for Dune: Part Two? The collectible became an unexpected viral sensation, inspiring countless memes and even a memorable Saturday Night Live sketch. Well, AMC clearly isn’t finished playing in the sand.
With Dune: Part Three arriving this December, the theater chain has revealed two new sandworm-inspired popcorn buckets, including one that takes the original design in a very different direction.
The first is called the Double Sandworm collectible, and it features two Shai-Hulud rising out of the popcorn container. According to AMC, the design makes it easier to share popcorn with someone else. That’s one way to encourage a movie date, although the internet will probably find a few other ways to interpret the design.
The second option is the Sandworm Thumper, which pairs a single sandworm with a working version of the device used by the Fremen to attract the giant creatures. In Frank Herbert’s universe, a thumper is driven into the desert sand to create rhythmic vibrations that draw sandworms toward it. AMC is bringing that piece of Arrakis technology into its latest movie collectible, giving fans something beyond another oversized popcorn container.
AMC’s senior vice president of food and beverage, Hank Green, acknowledged the expectations created by the previous bucket. In a statement reported by Variety, Green said the original Dune: Part Two collectible became a viral phenomenon, and the company knew fans would be expecting something special for the next movie. He added that AMC wanted to exceed those expectations with designs inspired by the film.
The new sandworm buckets are part of a larger Dune: Part Three merchandise collection. AMC is also offering an Atreides-Fremen light-up cup, a Spacing Guild Navigator cup, mystery keychains, and a sandworm plush. The collectibles will be available exclusively at AMC locations in the United States and Odeon Cinemas throughout Europe.
AMC has announced December 17 as the arrival date for its exclusive merchandise, one day before Dune: Part Three opens in theaters on December 18. Prices for the new collectibles have not been revealed yet. For comparison, the original Dune: Part Two sandworm bucket sold for $24.99 plus tax, although some resellers later listed it for considerably more on secondary markets.
The original bucket became such a pop-culture curiosity that Saturday Night Live eventually got in on the joke. A sketch featuring Ayo Edebiri, Marcello Hernández, and other cast members turned the suggestive souvenir into the subject of a musical parody. The collectible also became a frequent topic during the film’s promotional run, with the cast and other celebrities having plenty of fun with its unusual design.
AMC isn’t the only theater chain hoping to cash in on the next Dune movie, either. Cinemark has revealed its own Copper Sandworm popcorn bucket, while Regal is going in a different direction with a Spacing Guild Navigator-inspired collectible. Movie merchandise has become a major part of the theatrical experience, and these elaborate containers have developed a following of their own.
As for Dune: Part Three, director Denis Villeneuve returns to conclude his science-fiction trilogy based on Frank Herbert’s novels. Timothée Chalamet reprises his role as Paul Atreides, now dealing with the consequences of his rise to power. Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Robert Pattinson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Rebecca Ferguson are also part of the cast.
The film opens December 18, the same day Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters. That’s a pretty crowded date for moviegoers, but AMC is already giving Dune fans another reason to visit the concession stand.
We don’t know how much the new sandworm collectibles will cost, or how quickly they’ll disappear once they hit theaters. But after the reaction to the Dune: Part Two bucket, AMC knows exactly what kind of attention these things can attract. This time, you can bring a friend along to share the popcorn. Just try not to get distracted by the thumper.
