As production ramps up for Dune Part 2 with filming set to begin this July fans are eager
to hear what’s in store for the highly anticipated sequel and conclusion to Dune.
In this video I’ll be discussing Josh Brolin’s Gurney Halleck and what a recent interview
with the actor revealed regarding deleted scenes, Villeneuve’s approach for the first
film and what this tells us about the upcoming sequel.
Spoiler warning if you’re unfamiliar with the story of Dune as I will be talking about
plot points that take place in the latter half of the novel set to be adapted in Dune
part 2.
Frank Herbert’s novel contains a large cast of characters and for this reason fans were
understandably concerned with how director Deni Villneuve intended to handle his 2 part
adaptation which featured so many individuals with a significant role to play in this intricate
tale.
While many including myself were saddened to see certain storylines left out and scenes
left on the cutting room floor what stood out the most to me and what I think is the
reason for the film’s success is Villneuve’s focus on the story’s most significant elements
IE Paul’s journey, the schemes of the Bene Gesserit to produce their Kwisatz Haderach
and their religious influence upon the Fremen people.
It seemed to me that Paul’s perspective in this grand epic was Villeneuve’s compass
and rightly so.
Over time, what I’ve come to appreciate about the Dune series is the nature of the
mysteries within the novels themselves.
This I feel is one of the reasons this story continues to captivate readers.
Details and answers become clear as the story unfolds and even then greater understanding
comes with repeated readings.
Therefore as Villeneuve attempts to tell this story in a feature film format, it makes sense
for there to be lingering mysteries that the sequel will resolve.
One of these mysteries left from the film is the fate of the Atreides Warmaster Gurney
Halleck.
For those unfamiliar with the story Josh Brolin has been confirmed for Dune part 2 so viewers
can expect to find out what happened to him after the Harkonnen led attack on the Atreides
at Arrakeen.
The actor was very excited to confirm this as soon as possible in an interview with Collider
he remarked that when he found out he wasn’t listed on Dune part 2’s IMDB page yet he
made sure to get that fixed, saying this role is such a proud moment for him.
Those who’d like to know what happens to Gurney after the Harkonnen siege can check
out my lore video entitled Gurney’s Revenge.
I’ll leave a link to it in the description below.
However it is still unclear exactly how his story will play out in this newest interpretation.
In a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter Josh Brolin opened up about how he feels regarding
the creative liberties taken with his character.
The actor addressed a couple of creative decisions that were made regarding his character when
the interviewer asked about his sudden disappearance in Dune part one as he ran into battle.
He was asked if that moment was always intended to be his send off until Part 2 or if it was
more of an editorial choice?
To which the actor responded saying quote:
“I can’t answer that.
I don’t know.
I mean, I think the book suggests that, but the book suggests a lot of things.
The book suggests his singing, and even though that was something that we actually did, we
didn’t use it.
And that’s a major, major thing with Gurney.
So having just read the second one about two weeks ago, I now know why that [sendoff] was
the way it was.
But it’s hard for me to answer that because when Denis is making these choices and having
these dreams, talk about immersion, man.
The guy gets lost in what he’s doing, completely.
I’ve learned, especially as a producer, that post is just as important, if not more
important, than what you’ve actually filmed.
So I think it was a good place [to leave Gurney].
When I watched it, I was like, ‘Where did I go?’
I think that was the first reaction.
‘That’s it?’
But that was all selfish.”
~ Josh Brolin
While we saw suggestions in the film of Gurney’s troubadour side we did not see this explored
in any significant way.
It has since been revealed that a scene featuring Gurney’s balliset playing was filmed and
was ultimately cut in the editing process.
The actor confirmed this to Syfy Wire saying quote: “We did the singing scene with the
baliset and Hans (Zimmer) had written a really nice piece.”
Even though it made sense to Deni Villneuve to cut this scene it pained him to do it.
The filmmaker ended up calling Brolin personally to tell him the news.
In talking about this exchange Brolin said quote: “When he called me, he was nervous
and extremely apologetic.
I know him well enough to know it was actually true.
And listen, I trust him…
I don't think that scene belonged in there, especially in the momentum of the movie.
I was imagining where that scene could be and it would be tonally, completely off.
So we'll save that for Part II.”
While I really hope I’ll be able to see the scene they shot someday I do appreciate
Brolin’s remarks as to the reason for it being left out of the film.
Inconsistency in tone is something I find is more and more prevalent in movies these
days, mostly in films that are trying to appeal to a wide audience.
This usually occurs with the introduction of silly and lighthearted moments alongside
super dark and serious moments which can be jarring to the viewer and ends up creating
a film with an inconsistent mood and style.
Thankfully it was a priority for the director to avoid this common mistake.
Having said that, I sincerely hope there is a follow through on Brolin’s assurance for
a baliset scene in part 2 as there is a beautiful moment that takes place in the latter half
of the book which features his playing in the wake of an emotional reunion.
In regards to the decision to have Gurney suddenly disappear charging into battle.
Brolin revealed that he has recently read the script for part 2 and in light of that
he now understands why the fate of his character was left a mystery.
Filming a 2 part adaptation of one story especially one as complex as Dune is a massive undertaking
creatively.
And it's understandable that hard choices sometimes have to be made in adapting to a
visual and shortened format to divide the story in a manner which should ultimately
end up benefiting both films.
Personally I felt the decision to leave the fate of other members of House Atreides a
mystery made sense due to the focus being very much on Paul’s journey and his perception
of the events unfolding before him.
If the second film continues in this fashion then it seems like a logical creative decision
for viewers to also get a sense of the surprise and subsequent elation between these two members
of House Atreides upon their sudden reunion.
After Gurney Halleck survived the Imperial supported Harkonnen attack and thinking Paul
dead he joined the smuggler faction of Arrakis waiting for the right moment to exact his
revenge.
Paul, having joined the Fremen, was also unaware of the warmaster’s survival until he ended
up leading an ambush on Halleck’s spice harvesting operation after which they celebrated
their reunion and Gurney found he had more than revenge to live for.
Shortly after this is when Gurney plays a beautiful song, a happy tune with sad words
and considering the emotions of the moment I think it would very much be consistent with
the main story.
So if it’s still in there as Brolin assures then I’m very curious to hear what Hans
Zimmer will compose for this and if he’ll use any of the original lyrics.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing the continued story of these characters and
the completion of this epic story when Dune part 2 premieres.
But I’m curious to know what you think of the creative decisions made with the character
of Gurney Halleck for Dune part one and what you think this tells us about what will happen
in the sequel.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
I hope you enjoyed this video.
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Thank you all so much for your support and as always have a very nerdy day.