More big names have joined the war on Arrakis.
Director Denis Villeneuve has gathered plenty of new stars to appear in his sequel to Dune.
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Christopher Walken (The Dead Zone, Catch Me If You Can), Florence Pugh (Black Widow, Midsommar), and Austin Butler (Elvis) have already been cast as Shaddam IV, Princess Irulan, and Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, respectively. On top of that, Léa Seydoux (No Time To Die, Crimes of the Future) is now set to star in the film as Lady Margot! Let’s break down each of these new characters, shall we?
Dune: Part 1 spoilers ahead!
Walken’s character was absent from Part One, but Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV plays an important part in the story.
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As the ruler of the Known Universe, Shaddam conspired with Baron Harkonnen to assassinate Leto Atreides, feeling threatened by the Red Duke’s growing popularity. If Harkonnen is the Darth Vader of Dune, then Shaddam is its Palpatine as the story’s central antagonist, and we can’t wait to see how Walken will use his peculiar charm to portray this great villain.
For those of you who don’t know, Princess Irulan is the daughter of Shaddam IV and a narrator in the novel.
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Irulan’s historical epigraphs about the events of the story appear at the beginning of each chapter. However, she only ever appeared at the end of the story when her father gives Paul her hand in marriage, along with the throne, in exchange for peace. Hopefully, the film will give Pugh a bigger role that’s deserving of both her and her character.
Feyd-Rautha is the sadistic younger nephew of Baron Harkonnen, who intends to make him the next ruler of Arrakis and even the Emperor of the Universe.
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Though Feyd-Rautha attempted to assassinate his uncle, the Baron forgave him, and the latter remained loyal to him and the Harkonnen name. If the film continues to follow the book, Feyd-Rautha will serve as Paul’s final opponent for control over the Imperium.
Like Paul’s mother Jessica, Lady Margot is a member of the Bene Gesserit. She is also the wife of the Emperor’s closest friend/assassin, Count Fenring.
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Though she works close to the Emperor, Margot acts as a secret ally to Jessica and her family in the novel, warning them about the Harkonnens’ plans against them. Though her influence was not shown in Part One, Margot also uses her powers as a Bene Gesserit to manipulate Feyd-Rautha’s mind, which could make Seydoux’s character essential for Paul’s victory in the film.
The synopsis for the sequel reads: “Part Two will focus on Paul assembling a massive army of Fremen to combat the ruthless Harkonnen, as he essentially becomes a mythical messiah figure to the inhabitants of Arrakis.”
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With a cast and premise like this, Dune: Part Two is looking to be an even better film than the first. And looking at the film’s casting history, it’s safe to say that we’ll see more big names entering the franchise soon enough.
What do you think of these new cast members? Are you excited to see them in Dune: Part Two? Please let me know in the comments section below, and watch the film in theaters on October 20, 2023.
