Dune Part 2’s rumored villain casting is an inspired choice
First Sting, now Elvis?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
We Can’t Help Falling in Love with the latest casting news aroundDunePart 2.
As first reported byDeadline, Elvis star Austin Butler is in talks to portray the main villain, Feyd-Rautha, in Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming sequel – a role famously played by Sting in David Lynch’s 1984 Dune adaptation.
The news followsFlorence Pugh’s recent attachment to Dune Part 2; theBlack Widowstar is reportedly close to joining the movie’s cast as Princess Irulan Corrino, the eldest daughter of Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV.
The star power of Butler, who is best known for his role as Tex Watson in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, is poised to rise significantly following his highly-anticipated portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming biopic (set to hit theaters on June 24 this year).
In Frank Herbert’s Dune novel, Feyd-Rautha is the youngest nephew of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen – who was played by Stellan Skarsgård in Villeneuve’s 2021 adaptation – and, as heir to the Harkonnen empire, is described as being equally wicked. He’s also a skilled warrior, and looks set to prove a worthy adversary to Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides.
Interestingly, Butler’s association with the role comes rather out of the blue. Prior to news of his negotiations with Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, Eternals' Barry Keoghan was hotly tipped to inherit the Feyd-Rautha mantle in Villeneuve’s sequel (the Irish actor toldScreenRanthe would “definitely” be interested in the role).
For our money, though, Butler has the chops (and the menacing physical presence) to prove an equally inspired casting choice, should his involvement be confirmed.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
With Butler and Pugh both seemingly close to putting pen to paper, then, the only outstanding character to be cast in Dune Part 2 remains Emperor Shaddam Corrino himself. If we were a betting publication, we’d wager that the likes of Giancarlo Esposito, Michael Shannon, Laurence Fishburne and Mads Mikkelsen are already part of that conversation.
Analysis: Will Villeneuve’s Dune form a trilogy?
Despite releasing simultaneously in theatres and onHBO Max, Denis Villeneuve’s big-budget Dune adaptation was able to snag $400 million at the global box office, making it one of the most successful feature-length releases of the pandemic era.
The movie has since earned itself myriad award nominations – including nods for10 Academy Awardsand11 BAFTAs– and securedthe green light for a sequel, but director Villeneuve has also made it known that he’d prefer to tell his Dune story in three parts (i.e. a trilogy).
“I always envisioned three movies,” the filmmaker toldEntertainment Weeklyin October 2021. “It’s not that I want to do a franchise, but this is Dune, and Dune is a huge story. In order to honor it, I think you would need at least three movies. That would be the dream.”
Villeneuve getting his wish won’t depend on the success of Dune Part Two, either – if he intends to shoot this story in three parts, he’ll need to iron out such a plan with Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures prior to the start of filming on the sequel.
Speaking of which, Dune Part 2 isexpected to begin shootingin summer 2022 ahead of a possible October 2023 release. Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, though, could significantly hamper that schedule, given that a large portion of Dune’s production took place in Hungary (which borders Ukraine). That is, of course, assuming that Villeneuve plans to shoot the sequel in the same locations.
For more Dune-based content, check outour chat with Villeneuveabout the first film’s development. Alternatively, read our in-depth feature with Dune’s behind-the-scenes crew to find out moreabout bringing the world of Arrakis to life.
Axel is TechRadar’s UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site’s Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.
Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.
England vs Australia live stream: how to watch 2024 rugby union Autumn International online from anywhere
Australian Beach Volleyball Tour live stream: How to watch bronze and gold medal matches online for free, finals, start time
Arcane season 2 confirms the hit series isn’t just one of the best Netflix shows ever made – it’s an animated legend that’ll stand the test of time
