Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two has avoided the sequel trap and exceeded everyone’s expectations. The film improved upon the lore that the first film developed while also evolving the lead characters in complex and intriguing ways. Villeneuve has done the impossible with the two films as Frank Herbert’s novels were once deemed unadaptable.
However, to make his cinematic adaptation work, Villeneuve has taken some creative liberties and made certain artistic and creative changes in his adaptation. This included the exclusion of the character of Alia Atreides in Dune 2 who plays a big part in the novel. Villeneuve states that this was a deliberate choice and has plans for the character in Dune: Messiah.
Denis Villeneuve Strategically Avoided Putting Alia Atreides in Dune: Part Two
Denis Villeneuve‘s Dune: Part Two has become the talk of the town as many are raving about the film, with some considering it one of the best sci-fi films ever made. However, fans of the original 1965 Frank Herbert novel found an important element from the book missing in the second film.
The first two Dune films are based on the first Dune novel and Paul Atreides’ sister Alia Atreides plays a pivotal part in the latter half of the book. In the books, Alia is a child, wise beyond her years, and possesses abilities like the Bene Gesserits. She plays a huge role in the follow-up novel Dune: Messiah.
However, instead of adding a child actor to play the role, Villeneuve has approached the character differently in Dune 2. The character appears briefly in one of Paul’s visions as Anya Taylor-Joy (a grown-up version of Alia), while in the present, she is not born yet. Villeneuve instead used the character as a source of evolution for Rebecca Ferguson’s Lady Jessica.
Villeneuve told Entertainment Weekly that it was a big swing to approach the film with this drastic change from the novel. It provided more tension and intrigue to the narrative of the film. This specific approach contributed to the evolution of Lady Jessica through her conversations with her unborn daughter. He said,
“Having her talk to her fetus was a way to illustrate the power of the Water of Life, this substance that gives you access to the past lives of previous Reverend Mothers. It was a way to more precisely express how Alia becomes this abomination. When we had this idea, it was like an epiphany for me. It was one of the final bricks of the screenplay. I don’t know how the fans will react, because it’s a strong curve that we took, but I felt that it was very close to the spirit of the book. I’m very happy with this idea.”
With this delayed appearance of Alia Atreides the film, compared to the book, Dune: Messiah would be structured quite differently from its book counterpart. Villeneuve has planned a huge role for Taylor-Joy in the third film and it remains to be seen how she factors into the narrative after the end of part 2.
Denis Villeneuve Shot Anya Taylor-Joy’s Scene in Dune 2 In Complete Secrecy
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two saw the return of the ensemble cast for the first film with some exciting new additions. However, the director wanted to keep one actress’ appearance in the film a secret. Villeneuve told The Hollywood Reporter that he wanted to surprise audiences with Anya Taylor-Joy‘s cameo as Alia Atreides in the film.
The director stated that he shot her cameo in complete secrecy in Africa. He wanted it as a gift for audiences that would excite them for Taylor-Joy’s role in the third film. He said,
“We did it. It was a special unit, we went to Africa to shoot with Anya under super-secrecy. I just loved the idea to keep something a surprise for the audience until the very end; it was like a gift I wanted to keep for the fans.”
Villeneuve has almost completed scripting the third film and it is set to be a grand conclusion to Paul Atreides’ arc. Taylor-Joy and Florence Pugh are set to have huge roles in the third part. For now, audiences can experience Dune: Part Two in theaters.
