Dune: Part Two is now available in theaters, and the highly anticipated film is an epic, visually stunning tale with a rich story that unambiguously captivates viewers, as expected. Denis Villeneuve’s second film in the science fiction saga, which has already received widespread acclaim, picks up right where the first left off.
Having said that, readers of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune have been familiar with the plot of the science-fiction epic for years. But those who haven’t yet seen the Timothée Chalamet-starrer films are a bit confused about the ending of the second installment. Not to mention the series’ future.
There are major spoilers for Dune: Part 2 in this article!
Well, fans of the beloved book series are actually left with mixed emotions when it comes to the conclusion and the character of Chani, played by Zendaya. That being said, let us consider how Dune: Part 2 ends and what happens to characters like Paul (Timothée Chalamet), Chani (Zendaya), and Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh).
Why does the film seem to be deviating from the book, and where does the story go from here?
Dune: Part 2: Denis Villeneuve Totally Shakes Up Zendaya’s Role In The Ending
Dennis Villeneuve’s much-awaited Dune 2 includes a major shakeup of the story that has many readers of the 1965 book stumped. The relationship between Zendaya’s Chani and Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides, the main protagonists, is one of the most notable changes made to the original work.
If you follow Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune, Paul and Chani have a son named Leto II, who is essential to the events of the story. Villeneuve, on the other hand, chose to completely deviate Leto from this plot point in his film adaptation. Instead of depicting Leto II’s tragic fate, the film concludes with a dramatic twist in which Chani leaves Paul after he chooses to marry Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) to consolidate his power.
That is completely depressing; the director might have done that in order to add a pinch of drama to this love triangle. This betrayal not only breaks Chani’s heart but also sets the stage for a potential showdown between Zendaya’s character and the Fremen.
Chani has deep ties to the people and desert planet of Arrakis because she is a Fremen tribe member. With Paul’s decision to marry Irulan and leave Chani behind, Zendaya’s character may rise to lead the dissenting faction of Fremen, who do not believe Paul is the prophesied Messiah.
Indeed, one of the most intriguing aspects of Dune 2’s conclusion is the potential for Chani to have a larger role in the series going forward.
The ending of Dune 2 leaves audiences with a sense of unease as Chani walks away from Paul, seemingly disappointed by his actions. This exit paves the way for a potentially shocking turn of events in the upcoming franchise entry.
Looking Ahead: How the End of Dune 2 Sets Up Dune 3?
As the story of Dune 2 continues to unfold, it will be fascinating to observe how Denis Villeneuve’s reinterpretation of the source material shapes the future of the series. Now let us discuss some of the movie’s other key characters.
Paul finally brings Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) to justice by stabbing the merciless ruler in the neck as payback for his attack on House Atreides. Furthermore, the former successfully defeats Austin Butler’s Feyd-Rautha, sparing Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken), even though the kingpin was the one who orchestrated the destruction of House Atreides.
After Paul uses marriage (with Princess Irulan) to assert his dominance at the end of the film, Chani, feeling betrayed and enraged, leaves everything and heads into the desert by herself.
It is hard to predict what surprises Paul will face in the upcoming story, as Zendaya’s character is set to assume a more prominent role (probably) in the story. Will Chani emerge as a leader in her own right, or will her relationship with Paul undergo an unexpected, different turn?
Well, the success of Dune: Part Two at the box office will determine whether a third movie is produced. Yet such an epic, jaw-dropping conclusion to the sequel makes it abundantly evident that the story is far from finished.
You should definitely watch Dune 2, which is currently showing in theaters, if you have not already. Plus, Dune is available on Netflix.
