Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming Dune: Half Three might not totally adapt Frank Herbert’s sequel e-book, Dune Messiah, upon which the film is predicated. This raises some fascinating questions concerning the adjustments that Villeneuve is planning on making to the story, probably drawing inspiration from completely different books within the franchise as a substitute.
It is identified that Villeneuve will keep true to the core of the second novel, with Paul Atreides, Chani, Princess Irulan, Alia Atreides, and Hayt (the ghola of Duncan Idaho) all confirmed to look, alongside the introduction of Paul and Chani’s youngsters, Leto II and Ghanima. There’s even been casting information of Robert Pattinson taking part in Scytale, a personality from Dune Messiah.
There are a number of different characters from the world of Dune that would make shock appearances in Dune 3 regardless of not showing in Dune Messiah. Herbert sometimes does an ideal job of introducing new faces in every passing sequel, however this typically comes on the expense of leaving fan-favorite characters behind. It already looks as if Villeneuve is attempting to keep away from this widespread criticism.
Gurney Halleck
It’s already been confirmed that Josh Brolin will return as Gurney Halleck in Dune: Half Three, seemingly lending credence to the idea that Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming sequel received’t be a conventional adaptation of Dune Messiah. Gurney by no means bodily seems in that e-book, as he returns to Caladan with Woman Jessica whereas Paul and the remainder of Home Atreides stay on Arrakis.
There’s been no remark about how giant Gurney’s new position in Dune 3 will likely be, however the almost definitely clarification is that he’ll stay on Arrakis with Paul on this timeline. That’s the place the vast majority of the motion takes place within the e-book, and there can be no clear motive for Villeneuve to spend any time on Caladan.
The primary two Dune films actually leaned into the respectful dynamic between Paul and Gurney, so it is smart that Dune 3 would deliver Brolin again to develop this relationship even additional. Paul doesn’t have too many allies in Dune Messiah, so Gurney might show to be a robust addition to his court docket.
Shaddam Corrino IV
Whereas there’s been no indication that Christopher Walken has been contacted to reprise his position because the exiled Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV in Dune: Half Three, it could make plenty of narrative sense for him to look once more. Within the books, Shaddam is exiled to his homeworld of Salusa Secundus following Home Corrino’s defeat on the finish of Dune: Half Two.
Although Shaddam isn’t talked about once more for a protracted whereas within the Dune e-book sequence, his presence within the upcoming film can be really beneficial. He serves as an illuminating distinction to Paul’s tenure as Emperor of the Identified Universe, and his relationship with Irulan provides new depth to an in any other case two-dimensional character arc.
Irulan’s position within the Dune books is usually criticized for not having sufficient company and autonomy, and far of this comes right down to the truth that she’s typically merely introduced as “Paul’s spouse”. Bringing Shaddam again can be an fascinating approach of leaning on Irulan’s imperial lineage and reminding audiences simply how politically highly effective she might be.
Baron Harkonnen
Following his loss of life by the hands of Paul Atreides in the course of the Battle of Arrakis, the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen unsurprisingly doesn’t return for the occasions of Dune Messiah. He’s one of many few Dune characters who stays really useless, and the Harkonnens largely turn into pretty unimportant following their defeat within the first e-book. As an alternative, Paul’s greatest enemies are these lurking within the shadows.
Nonetheless, Baron Harkonnen does return in Kids of Dune, the third novel in Frank Herbert’s sequence. Following Alia Atreides’ transformation into the “Abomination”, his spirit takes over her thoughts and nearly possesses her to sabotage Home Atreides’ imperial rule. There have been some compelling theories that Villeneuve will fold features of Kids of Dune into Dune: Half Three, and this explicit subplot can be an ideal candidate.
Alia Atreides doesn’t have a lot to do in Dune Messiah, as the vast majority of her storyline is overshadowed by her romance with Hayt. Introducing this battle with the Baron one e-book upfront looks as if an efficient approach of accelerating her position within the story, giving her a transparent goal past being the item of Hayt’s affections.
Princess Wensicia
Princess Wensicia Corrino is among the greatest characters from Kids of Dune, and it might be very useful to introduce her barely earlier within the film’s timeline. She’s the youthful sister of Princess Irulan and stays on Salusa Secundus throughout Paul’s time as Emperor to lift her son, Prince Farad’n.
A lot of Dune Messiah facilities round a conspiracy between the Bene Gesserit, the Bene Tleilaxu, and the Spacing Guild to dethrone Emperor Paul and place any person extra accountable upon the Lion Throne. Coincidentally, Wensicia’s storyline in Kids of Dune additionally facilities round a secret plot to dethrone Home Atreides. The upcoming film might save a while and mix each subplots collectively.
It might even be fascinating to see Irulan and Wensicia work together with one another, which barely occurs in any respect in Frank Herbert’s books. The sisters have very completely different personalities and clashing political ideologies, however they spend the vast majority of their time on completely different planets. Dune: Half Three might lastly deliver them collectively and add some much-needed depth to Irulan’s conspiracy in opposition to her husband.
Farad’n Corrino
If Princess Wensicia is being launched in Dune: Half Three, it logically follows that Prince Farad’n would additionally make an look. He’s the male inheritor to Home Corrino, and if it weren’t for Paul’s conquest of the Nice Homes, he can be subsequent in line to the Imperium. This subplot of jealousy and revenge might be simply one other approach of constructing the stress among the many conspirators in Dune 3.
Though Farad’n isn’t launched till Kids of Dune within the books, it’s clear that Denis Villeneuve isn’t going to be sticking too fiercely to this timeline. There’s loads of room to maneuver these narrative beats round. Dune 3 additionally wants to obviously arrange the way forward for this franchise in case Warner Bros. decides to make extra sequels sooner or later.
Moreover, it’s been confirmed that Paul’s youngsters, Leto II and Ghanima, will make an look in Dune 3 as younger adults. Within the e-book, they solely seem briefly as new child youngsters. This proves that Villeneuve is shifting the timeline considerably, and Leto and Ghanima’s storyline wants Farad’n to function their imperial counterpart.
Woman Jessica
Whereas it hasn’t been confirmed that Rebecca Ferguson will likely be reprising her position in Dune 3, it appears extraordinarily doubtless given Villeneuve’s willingness to bend the supply materials barely. All through Dune Messiah, Woman Jessica spends the vast majority of the story on Caladan with Gurney. However since Gurney is confirmed to be showing in Dune 3, it is smart that Jessica will too.
The Bene Gesserit play an enormous position in Dune Messiah, as they’re closely concerned within the secret conspiracy to assassinate Paul Atreides. Jessica has been the Dune films’ anchor to the Bene Gesserit because the very begin, as she’s one of many solely members that audiences actually get to know. Having her in Dune 3 would make this storyline much more accessible.
The ending of Dune 2 already teased Jessica’s defection from the Bene Gesserit by her interactions with Reverend Mom Gaius Helen Mohaim, so it could be an enormous missed alternative if Dune: Half Three didn’t repay this subplot by having Jessica on Arrakis when the Bene Gesserit are attempting to kill him. This might lastly conclude Jessica’s story in a poignant and tragic approach.