Dune: Part Three is reportedly adding a major star to its cast. The movie will be based on the novel Dune: Messiah by Frank Herbert and will follow Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as Emperor of the Known Universe, following the events of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two. Scheduled to premiere on December 16, 2026, this highly anticipated sequel will be set 12 years after the previous film, with the cast beginning to grow.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, actor Robert Pattinson is reportedly being eyed for a villainous role in Dune: Part Three. Their sources claim that Pattinson is in the running for the role of Scytale, a shapeshifting Face Dancer who plans to bring down Paul Atreides. While details about Pattinson’s involvement with the film are still unfolding, the chance that he will play Scytale has massive implications for Dune: Part Three‘s story.
What The News Says About Dune: Part Three
Pattinson’s Role In Dune: Part Three Is Unknown, But It May Be Huge
In the Dune books, after Paul Atreides usurps the Golden Lion Throne from Shaddam IV, he begins a war with the other Great Houses that will leave billions dead. Though Paul will succeed in conquering most of the opposition by the time Dune: Messiah begins, he must still face a conspiracy organized by the Bene Gesserit, the Space Guild, and the Tleilaxu to dethrone him, with Scytale aiding in this rebellion.
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Dune: Part Three – Confirmation, Cast & Everything We Know
After the explosive ending of Dune 2, Dune 3 could cap off Denis Villeneuve’s Dune trilogy by focusing on the events of the novel Dune: Messiah.
It’s unknown how much of Dune Messiah will be adapted to Dune: Part Three, especially following the changes made for Dune: Part Two. However, if Pattinson does end up playing Scytale in the film, he will likely use his shapeshifting abilities to infiltrate Paul’s stronghold in an attempt to assassinate him. So far, Legendary Entertainment hasn’t commented on Pattinson’s potential casting. Also, The Hollywood Reporter claims no official offer has been made to Pattinson just yet. This is understandable based on his schedule, as he is set to star in The Batman – Part 2 and, reportedly, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
Our Take On Pattinson’s Potential Role In Dune: Part Three
Audiences May Get The Franchise’s Next Best Villain
While Pattinson hasn’t been booked for Dune: Part Three just yet, Villeneuve has succeeded in getting several A-list actors to star in his last two Dune films. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he tried to capitalize on Pattinson’s talent and star power by making him the villain of his final Dune movie. Pattinson has also succeeded at playing sinister and villainous characters in multiple films, including Good Time, The Lighthouse, and more recently, Mickey 17. Playing a deadly and manipulative character like Scytale should be the perfect role for him.
Source: THR
Dune: Part Three
- Release Date
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December 18, 2026
- Writers
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Jon Spaihts
- Producers
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John Harrison, Mary Parent, Richard P. Rubinstein, Thomas Tull, Tanya Lapointe