Dune Star Timothee Chalamet's Xbox Modding YouTube Channel Uncovered
Investigations have apparently uncovered an old Xbox modding channel on YouTube that belonged to Dune star Timothee Chalamet. The American actor got his start in films like Interstellar and Call Me By Your Name, and now appears in starring roles in big features like Dune and The French Dispatch. Xbox controller modding was once popular among gamers who sought to customize their gaming accessories, though nowadays Xbox Design Lab can create custom controllers through an official Microsoft service.
During the 2021 Games Showcase Extended event back in June, Xbox announced the revival of the Xbox Design Lab program. Through the online service, gamers are able to highly customize their own Xbox Series X/S controller to match their preferences. 18 different colors are available, with users able to mix and match different hues on different parts of the controller. Face buttons, bumpers, triggers, thumbtacks, and the D-pad can all be customized as well, meaning that no two controllers will be exactly the same. The Xbox Design Lab was previously available for the Xbox One before shutting down, but the Xbox Series X/S Design Lab brought controller customization back for a new generation of consoles.
According to a long and humorous investigation by Vice, Dune star Timothee Chalamet used to customize his own Xbox controllers on a YouTube channel called ModdedController360. The Vice report was first spurred by a Timothee Chalamet fan page on Instagram, which noticed that the star's old YouTube channel had liked videos posted by ModdedController360. Chalamet would have been about 15 when the videos were posted back in 2010, with the actor's first known roles happening in 2008 and 2009. Some research and investigation found many pieces of evidence, such as a chair matching one appearing in old pictures of Chalamet's room, linking the Dune star to the modding channel. While the young YouTuber's face is never seen, his voice also matches Chalamet's voice in his earliest roles. A Twitter response by YouTube and Xbox seems to corroborate the story, poking fun at the discovery.
While a large amount of evidence connects Timothee Chalamet to the Xbox controller modding community, recent developments have created a more direct link between the young actor and the gaming industry. A crossover between Dune and Fortnite has transported Timothee Chalamet into Epic Games' beloved battle royale shooter along with co-star Zendaya. Protagonist Paul Atreides and the elusive Chani are now available as playable characters in the game, and other cosmetic items such as an Ornithopter glider and a themed pickaxe will help gamers complete the Dune crossover aesthetic.
With lead roles in Dune and Wes Anderson's The French Dispatch, Timothee Chalamet is quickly becoming a huge Hollywood star. However, despite the fame and success, it is important to remember that everyone has roots set within older interests and hobbies. According to Vice's dramatic investigation, one of Chalamet's old interests seems to be customizing Xbox controllers for sale online. While there may be no Xbox controllers found in the deadly sands of Arrakis, Chalamet's engineering ingenuity may prove when struggling to survive on Dune's hostile planet.
Source: Vice, ModdedController360/YouTube, YouTube/Twitter, Xbox/Twitter