While Dune introduced audiences to the world of Arrakis, the sequel looks to expand the universe by exploring many different worlds, according to the film's costume designer.
A direct sequel to 2021's Dune, Dune: Part Two will cover the book's second half and focus heavily on Paul's relationship with the Fremen group and his journey to prevent a terrible future that only he can predict. Pre-shooting began on July 4 at the Brion tomb in Altivole, Italy, while principal photography took place on July 18 in Budapest, Hungary. Dune Part 2 filming in Abu Dhabi kicked off in November and concluded the following month.
During a masterclass for Qatar's Doha Film Institute, Dune 2 costume designer Jacqueline West discussed how the sequel takes things to another level and introduces many new planets. “In 'Part Two,' you really dive into the different worlds of 'Dune.' We see what the emperor’s world looks like. We go to his planet. We spend a lot of time on Giedi Prime, the Harkonnen planet. We spend a lot of time in Stellan Skarsgård’s [Vladimir Harkonnen] world," she said (via Deadline). “All the worlds get expanded. It was about creating three separate, different-looking worlds and also revisiting the Bene Gesserits, the age-old ones with these costumes that almost look like Egyptian mummies. I think it’s visually stunning, the sets, the cinematography and the concepts.”
Expanding on world-building is what the majority of sequels strive to do. Since the first film only scratched the surface of the entire Dune universe and spent most of its time introducing the different characters, it allows Part Two to take things further and showcase many new worlds. West also teased Austin Butler's Feyd-Rauth, describing his portrayal as brilliant. "Feyd-Rautha [Harkonnen] also comes into this one, brilliantly played by Austin Butler, Elvis. He is pretty fabulous in it.”
In addition to Butler, the Dune 2 star-studded ensemble includes Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Zendaya as Chani, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Charlotte Rampling as Gaius Helen Mohiam and Javier Bardem as Stilgar. Other newcomers include Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan Corrino, Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban, Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV, Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot, Souheila Yacoub as Fremen leader Shishakli, and Tim Blake Nelson in an undisclosed role.
While it's unclear if Denis Villeneuve and the team will return for more sequels, the prequel spinoff series Dune: Sisterhood began production in November. It is set thousands of years before Dune and focuses on the Bene Gesserit's origins. However, the project is in limbo as the search for a new director and cast members commences.
Dune: Part Two arrives in theatres on November 3, 2023.
Source: Deadline