DUNE PART TWO opens March 15, 2024
It has been nearly two years since the release of Denis Villeneuve’s DUNE. The movie, which introduced Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides as he and his family are thrust into war and a state of survival on the dangerous desert planet of Arrakis, was just the beginning of the saga, and the second chapter is well on its way.
While we wait for Warner Bros. Pictures’ long-awaited continuation of the story to arrive on the big screen, there are a handful of things that we need to go over about the upcoming movie. From its story to its remarkably stacked cast and as well as a look at its most recent trailer, here is your guide to DUNE: PART TWO.
A Tale Of Revenge
Things went from bad to worse for Paul Atreides in the second half of DUNE, with much of his family and friends either being killed or captured by the evil and power-hungry House Harkonnen. However, Paul and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) were accepted into the Freman tribe following a fight to the death with a native warrior on Arrakis.
When DUNE: PART TWO lands in theatres this fall, it will see the young Atreides set out to get revenge against the Harkonnen and the powers that allowed them to start a war with the noble family in the process. But much like its predecessor, the movie will also dive into Paul’s journey of self-discovery as he attempts to make sense of his visions and prophecies of being the next messiah.
Timothée Chalamet Leads
Like with the first movie, Timothée Chalamet will anchor the DUNE: PART TWO cast as Duke Paul Atreides. The actor won’t be the only returning member of House Atreides to show up in the upcoming sequel, as his mother, Lady Jessica, will once again play a major role in the story as will Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin), his longtime mentor and his father’s former weapons master.
The movie will also further flesh out House Harkonnen, as in addition to Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) and Glossu Rabban (Dave Bautista), Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen (Austin Butler) will also make his debut in the sequel.
And at long last, fans of Herbert’s novel will get to see how Villenenuve and company handle the impact of Shaddam IV (Chrisopher Walken), the Emperor of the Known Universe and ruler of House Corrino. Florence Pugh, will also make her franchise debut with her portrayal of the Emperor’s daughter, Princess Irulan.
Zendaya In An Expanded Role
Zendaya’s Chani, a young Freman warrior who appeared in several of Paul’s visions before he met her in real life near the end of DUNE, will have a more expanded role in the story’s second chapter. If the movie is anything like the book on which it is based, Chani will be a major force in the upcoming sequel, as she stands with the young Atreides to protect her tribe from all threats. Javier Bardem will also return to reprise the role of Stilgar, the leader of the Freman tribe.
Charlotte Rampling and Stephen McKinley Henderson will return as Gaius Helen Mohiam and Thufir Hawat, respectively. As far as new additions are concerned, Léa Seydoux will appear as the Emperor’s close friend, Lady Margot, Souheila Yacoub will portray the Freman warrior Shishakli, and Tim Blake Nelson has been added in an undisclosed role.
Denis Villeneuve Directs
Two years after he received a Best Director Golden Globe® nomination, but strangely not an Oscar® nod for his work on DUNE, Denis Villeneuve is back in the director’s chair for the upcoming sequel, which he also co-wrote with collaborator Jon Spaihts.
When DUNE: PART TWO is released this fall, it will be the latest addition to Villneuve’s impressive filmography, one that includes modern classics like ARRIVAL, PRISONERS, SICARIO, and BLADE RUNNER 2049, among several others.