Rebecca Ferguson is an incredible actress, who was last seen in Denis Villenueve’s Dune: Part Two. The actress’s role was significantly changed in the second movie, giving her more importance and authority than in the first movie, Dune.
Yet despite her brilliant acting prowess and her exceptional portrayal of Lady Jessica in the science fiction fantasy tale, fans have not liked how her character was changed in the movie. Even the Mission Impossible star was unhappy when the director informed her of a certain change in her character, despite him going against authenticity to give her more screen time.
Rebecca Ferguson After Denis Villeneuve Changed Her Character
Rebecca Ferguson in Dune: Part Two delivered a stunning performance as Lady Jessica. Her ability to portray the complex emotions of a mother torn between her loyalty to her son and her duty to her order was nothing short of impressive, garnering her immense praise for her portrayal.
Yet Ferguson’s character was not as depicted in the second half of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel in Denis Villeneuve‘s movie adaptation. And it was a change that the actress was apparently not happy about. While talking to Cinema Blend, the actress remarked,
“I remember when Denis said ‘I’m changing it up. You’re going to be pregnant throughout the film.’ I remember thinking… ‘Like what are we thinking here?’ And he was like, ‘I’m going to put lots of cloth on top of you… My ego is like ‘What’s happening?… ‘I can leave the chains on, Denis, and I can have tattoos. But other than that you’re not getting a veil’.”
While it’s clear that Rebecca Ferguson is a force to be reckoned with, the costume changes the actress did certainly seem like a good choice. Since her character apparently turned more ruthless and goal-oriented, the removal of the veil made for her portrayal stand out even more.
Denis Villeneuve on Changes in Rebecca Ferguson’s Character
There is no denying that Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two went away from Frank Herbert’s novel and made Rebecca Ferguson’s Lady Jessica more prominent in the movie. More goal-oriented and stronger in the movie, Lady Jessica also got a lot more screen time despite her being largely missing in the second half of the book.
Needless to say, while fans have been enjoying certain changes, they haven’t really liked how Ferguson’s character was dealt with (see Reddit). Meanwhile, Villeneuve, while talking to Town & Country, revealed the following,
“Lady Jessica kind of disappears in the second part of the book, and I made sure as I was writing the screenplay to do the opposite, to make sure that she will be active, to bring her back to the front of the story. I’m looking forward for the world to see what Rebecca [Ferguson] has accomplished. She’s not afraid to go very far away. She’s a force that I can count on.”
Despite the change in her character from the original novel and the criticism, there is no denying that the increased focus on Lady Jessica not only seemed to elevate the story but even helps set the foundation of a potential future threequel (see Entertainment Weekly).
Dune: Part Two is in theatres now.
