Dune: Part Two is set to hit theaters globally on March 1. The sequel film will continue from the events of Dune (2021) and explore the mythic journey of Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides as he seeks revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. In his pursuit, Paul will encounter several new characters in the film, including a future wife and a sociopathic villain. A bunch of talented cast has joined Denis Villeneuve’s second film to portray these characters.
Oppenheimer actress Florence Pugh and Elvis actor Austin Butler were the first new additions to join Dune 2 in March 2022. Tim Blake Nelson, who joined the film in January 2023 in an undisclosed role, was not included in this list as his scenes were reportedly cut from the theatrical cut.
Léa Seydoux – Lady Margot Fenring
According to Deadline, Léa Seydoux entered negotiations to play Lady Margot Fenring in Dune 2 in June 2022. She is not new to big franchises having played an assassin in Mission: Impossible 4 and a major role in James Bond films. Her character, Lady Margot, has a relatively minor yet crucial role in Frank Herbert’s first novel. She appears alongside her husband, Count Hasimir Fenring, in the novels.
When it comes to Denis Villeneuve‘s movie, the character may have a larger role indicated by Seydoux’s casting. Her role may also serve Villeneuve’s intentions to bring more femininity to Herbert’s story (via Empire Magazine).
Souheila Yacoub – Shishakli
Souheila Yacoub, known for Gaspar Noé’s Climax and Rebecca Zlotowski’s Les Sauvages was cast as Shishakli in Dune: Part Two in July 2022 (via Deadline). After Paul and his mother escape from the Harkonnens, they encounter the Fremen in the dunes of Arrakis. Paul becomes the Muad’Dib or the off-world Messiah of the Fremen religion. Yacoub’s Shishakli is a squad leader of the Fremen warriors.
The character has a crucial role in teaching Timothée Chalamet‘s Paul Atreides the culture and ways of the Fremen. In the novels, she helps Paul endure a trial to ride the dangerous sandworms.
Christopher Walken – Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV
While Christopher Walken did not appear in the first Dune film, it was Emperor Shaddam Corrino’s plan that set in motion the events of that film. In May 2022, Walken was confirmed in the Emperor’s role in Dune 2 (The Hollywood Reporter). The Emperor rules the Known Universe in the novels and grants House Atreides the desert world of Arrakis. However, the Atreides leaving Caladan was part of the Emperor’s schemes with House Harkonnen to overthrow Duke Leto and House Atreides.
Walken will be fitting to play the cunning character in the second film. He plays the father of Princess Irulan. Paul sets out for revenge against the Emperor by marrying the princes in the novels.
Florence Pugh – Princess Irulan Corrino
According to Deadline, Florence Pugh was the first big name to join Dune 2 in March 2022. In the novels, Pugh’s Princess Irulan is a scholar who chronicles the journey of Paul Atreides. Her epigraphs are provided at the beginning of each chapter in the novel. At the end of the novel, Paul proposes a marriage between him and Irulan, a political move that would establish him as the Emperor of the Imperium.
Pugh earlier shared the screen with Timothée Chalamet in Greta Gerwig‘s Little Women. However, the Dune movies may not explore a romantic intimacy between the two actors despite their marriage.
Austin Butler – Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen
Austin Butler plays Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the sociopathic heir to the Harkonnen throne, who will be Paul’s primary antagonist in Dune 2. Butler’s casting was reported in March 2022 via Deadline. While the character had a lesser role in the novels, Villeneuve’s creative choice put Butler as a formidable villain like The Joker or Anton Chigurh. He earlier revealed in an interview that he toned down his usual Method acting for the film.
Once the Atreides were removed from Arrakis, Feyd-Rautha was appointed as the ruler there. He is the nephew of the ruthless ruler of the House Harkonnen, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen.
Anya Taylor-Joy As Dune 2‘s Surprise Casting — Alia Atreides
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dune 2 director Denis Villeneuve and the entire crew wanted to hide Anya Taylor-Joy‘s casting as an experiment. The crew flew to Africa with Taylor-Joy in super-secrecy to film her scenes. Villeneuve shared, “It was like a gift I wanted to keep for the fans.” Taylor-Joy plays Alia Atreides, the sister of Paul and a ‘pre-born’. Alia was in the womb of Rebecca Ferguson‘s Lady Jessica when she consumed the Water of Life, giving her sentient powers.
Fans initially speculated that Villeneuve made changes to the sister character, who had a pretty big role in the novels. However, the surprise was revealed when Taylor-Joy attended the film’s London premiere (via Variety).
