As an actress, Rebecca Ferguson is no doubt stunning and talented, but she recently stated that playing Lady Jessica in Dune and its eagerly awaited sequel has made her feel even more beautiful. And, to be honest, we totally agree.
During a recent interview, the Swedish actress, 40, talked about how playing the strong and mysterious Lady Jessica has challenged her as an actress and given her a newfound sense of confidence and allure. Ferguson added that the character’s grace, strength, and intelligence have all helped to make her appear more “attractive” and powerful than before.
Also, did you know that the director, Denis Villeneuve, even convinced her to join the cast by telling her that her character, Lady Jessica, would be expanded from the original script? Currently, Dune appears to be one of Ferguson’s most ambitious undertakings to date.
Bringing Rebecca Ferguson’s Beauty to Light as Lady Jessica in Dune
Beauty is often synonymous with glamour, elegance, and flawless perfection. But sometimes, raw emotion, honesty, and vulnerability are the keys to true beauty. This is exactly what Rebecca Ferguson brought to the screen with her portrayal of Lady Jessica in the acclaimed film Dune. And the result? A breathtaking performance that wowed the audience and made her feel more attractive than ever. The tattoos were the most striking feature of her character.
The objective is to relentlessly work toward fulfilling the prophecy that the Bene Gesserit have been trying to engineer for eons, according to Denis Villeneuve. Her face bears the marks of this work now. The director said
“Those tattoos are linked with the prophecy. We see that there’s a darkness, a very specific darkness in her eyes. Lady Jessica is one of the masterminds of Dune. She’s trying to play her own agenda. The meaning of that look would be unveiled in Part Two.”
And the reason is easy to understand. In the promotional materials and trailers for Dune and, of course, its sequel, Ferguson exudes a regal and magnetic presence as Lady Jessica, her towering stature and sharp gaze enticing viewers. She has clearly embodied the essence of this iconic character, bringing her to life in an impressive and inspiring manner.
In a recent interview with Reign With Josh Smith, The Girl on the Train actress confessed:
“I have never felt so attractive in my entire life. And it’s a litany of fear. The actual litany of fear that she says is tattooed on her face, which I love. I think it’s phenomenal.”
Frank Herbert’s 1965 book served as the inspiration for Dune. Although Lady Jessica is a key character in the book, Ferguson initially did not like the character’s original deprivation.
Was Lady Jessica’s Role in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Expanded?
Denis Villeneuve elaborated on his vision for the role since the actress initially lacked the motivation to work on the project. But then Rebecca Ferguson realized she was powerless to say no. She told Vanity Fair that Lady Jessica was referred to by the director as “the strongest woman in the world, and her fear for when she creates chaos and has to bring her son in front of”.
In an interview with Vanity Fair in 2020, Ferguson talked about how Villeneuve improved the character over the original material. She said:
“She’s a mother, she’s a concubine, she’s a soldier. Denis was very respectful of Frank’s work in the book, [but] the quality of the arcs for much of the women have been brought up to a new level. There were some shifts he did, and they are beautifully portrayed now.”
Ferguson’s roles have frequently been overshadowed by male leads. She earlier told Variety that she thought Lady Jessica fit into the same group:
“When he explained the character, I thought, really? You want me to be regal and poised and ask me to do a role that I have played so many times before? I would literally be a teapot for you, but I don’t think that’s the role for me, dude.”
Finally, the Stockholm-born actress braced herself to face and conquer one more fear.
So when we look forward to the arrival of Dune: Part Two and prepare to witness Ferguson’s mesmerizing performance as Lady Jessica, we have to agree with her statement that she has never been more “attractive” in her life.
Just a few more days left; Dune: Part Two is scheduled for release on March 1, 2024. Meanwhile, stream Dune on Netflix.
