Dune was one of the biggest critical successes in 2021, as the sci-fi epic would go on to rack up six Academy Awards. With Dune: Part Two officially in the works, many moviegoers are looking forward to what exciting surprises Deni Villeneuve's sequel will have in store, especially star Javier Bardem.
Based on Frank Herbert's acclaimed 1965 novel, Dune takes place in the far future and follows the Atreides family accepting the stewardship of the dangerous desert planet Arrakis (also referred to as Dune), which contains the most valuable substance in the universe known as the "spice." The sequel, which will cover the second half of the novel, will continue exploring Paul's journey of leading the Fremen in a rebellion against the Emperor while also trying to prevent the inevitable events he witnessed through his visions.
Appearing at the Cannes Film Festival during a Q&A for the festival's 75th-anniversary celebration, Bardem, who plays the Fremen leader Stilgar, discussed some details regarding the sequel while also sharing his excitement for Dune: Part Two, adding that fans will be surprised the way the story is pieced together. “I’ve read the new draft,” Bardem said. “And I think they’ve done an amazing job of putting together the pieces in a way that is gonna surprise people. They won’t be surprised [by what happens], obviously, because they’ve read the book, but they’ll be surprised by the way they put it together."
"I was very moved by it. It’s a movie that is full, and you can feel the weight of it, and at the same time [you can enjoy] the spectacularity of it," Bardem continued. "[I can’t wait] to go back to the desert with those people, and I’m so happy to go back with Denis, who is one of the greatest directors ever. He’s a lovely man." While Dune: Part Two looks to conclude Herbert's first novel, fans may get another chance to see Stilgar in action, as Villeneuve and screenwriter Jon Spaihts have teased a potential third Dune film.
With a Dune prequel spin-off series focusing on the Bene Gesserit titled Dune: Sisterhood in early development, it appears the Dune universe is just getting started. But until then, the focus now is on Dune: Part Two, as the highly anticipated film has been well underway in pre-production and has already made some big casting announcements. This includes the addition of Florence Pugh and Austin Butler filling the roles of Princess Irulan Corrino, the eldest daughter to Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, who will now be played by the veteran Christopher Walken, and the ruthless Harkonnen Feyd-Rautha, respectively.
While Dune: Part Two was actually never confirmed by Warner Bros. ahead of the first film's release, the sequel was officially greenlit four days after Dune's theatrical release this past October. Other than Stilgar and the new additions, the sequel's cast will see the return of Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Zendaya as Chani, Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Harkonnen, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, and Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban.
Dune: Part Two is set to release in theatres on October 20, 2023.
Source: Deadline