"Long live the fighters of Muad'Dib!"
Production on Dune Part 2 is now in full swing.
Recently there have been several significant details revealed about the highly anticipated
sequel so in this video I’d like to discuss all that we know so far about Denis Villeneuve’s
conclusion for his adaptation of Frank Herbert’s epic story.
Filming had initially been slated for this summer or early fall and it appears everything
is proceeding as scheduled as shooting has now officially begun.
On July 18, 2022 this was announced on various social media accounts connected with the film
posting the simple message “We’re rolling.
Production on Dune Part 2 has begun.”
This was accompanied by a picture of a clapperboard with the words Long Live the Fighters along
the bottom.
The official synopsis from Warner Bros. and Legendary reads: “This follow-up film will
explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while
on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.
Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors
to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”
Denis Villneuve is of course returning to direct.
While the screenplay for Dune Part One was co-written by Villneuve along with Eric Roth
and later Jon Spaihts, Eric Roth is not listed as screen writer for part 2 though it’s
likely some of what he had prepared for the first film may make its way into the sequel
installment.
In previous interviews Roth confirmed that his original work on Dune part 1 ended up
covering a little more than the first half and started going into the second half of
the book.
He also revealed that he wrote a treatment to show the estate what they could do with
the second half.
And so based on this I’m sure that some of his influence will be present in Villeneuve’s
second Dune film.
When it comes to returning and new cast members for this next installment.
There of course has been confirmation of the major players from among House Atreides, House
Harkonnen and the Fremen.
Timothee Chalamet returns as we continue to follow the mythic journey of Paul Atreides
along with his mother, the Bene Gesserit Lady Jessica played by Rebecca Ferguson.
We last saw both mother and son as they were accepted by the Fremen people who have long
made Arrakis their home.
The Fremen have been molded by the hostile world, which has turned them into the desert
power the heir of House Atreides utilizes to survive and to take revenge on his enemies.
As stated in the synopsis in line with the plot of the novel, the sequel is set to feature
much more of the Fremen people so we can expect a lot more from Zendaya playing the Fremen
Warrior Chani and Javier Bardem as the Fremen Leader Stilgar.
There’s likely to be a lot of extras filling the roles of the various tribes of Fremen
people so it’ll be interesting to see more of the casting choices for these smaller roles
as the film draws closer to its premiere.
So far there has been one announcement regarding one of these dessert warriors featured in
Part 2.
Souheila Yacoub has been cast as the Fremen Shishakli.
While the role in the book is small, it will be part of one of the most significant scenes
in the film.
In the novel the character is male and is described as a squad leader of the Fedaykin,
who are Fremen Death commandos pledged to give their lives to right a wrong.
Though his time in the novel is very brief he takes part in a sacred ceremony involving
the mighty sandworms of Arrakis, who the Fremen worship as Shaihulud.
For those who are unfamiliar with the novel in regards to the supporting members of house
Atreides whose fates were left a bit murky in the first film, Josh Brolin’s return
has been confirmed for Part 2 as troubadour warrior Gurney Halleck as well as Stephen
Mckinley Henderson’s Mentat Master of Assassins Thufir Hawat.
Returning as the ruthless and repulsive enemy of the Atreides Baron Harkonnen, is Stellan
Skarsgard with Dave Bautista reprising his role as his fearsome nephew Glossu Beast Rabban.
Director Deni Villneuve has already teased much more Harkonnen stuff for this next installment
which will also feature the Baron’s favored nephew Feyd-Rautha Rabban, a role famously
portrayed by Sting in the 1984 film.
The character’s introduction was saved for Deni Villneuve’s sequel installment as the
director thought there were already plenty of characters in Part One and Villneuve felt
that it would be more elegant to reserve Feyd-Rautha for this next entry.
As the Baron’s chosen heir, Feyd is a main component of his schemes to feed his endless
ambition and thirst for power.
The Harkonnen heir proves himself to be a formidable addition to the antagonists of
this epic tale.
He is handsome and charismatic, as he is devious and cold-blooded.
I’m very interested to see Austin Butler’s portrayal of this fearsome foe, whose recent
performance in the Baz Luhrmann biopic Elvis has received rave reviews from critics and
general audiences alike.
It has been revealed in the actor’s recent interview with the New York Times that Butler
is receiving intensive knife-fighting training in preparation for the role.
In a previous video I covered the character’s key fighting sequences from the novel and
how they may be adapted in Villneuve’s film.
I'll leave a link in the description below if you’d like to learn more.
Charlotte Rampling will be returning as well as the Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother Gaius
Helen Mohiam.
This character serves in the Emperor’s court as truthsayer while secretly working to enact
the sisterhood’s own agenda to control human destiny.
Speaking of the Imperial Court the legendary Christopher Walken will portray the ruler
of the known universe, the Padishah Emperor Shaddam the 4th of House Corrino.
Though the character doesn’t make a physical appearance until much later in the novel his
power and influence are certainly felt throughout the story.
To highlight this point, previous adaptations have increased the character’s screen time
and considering the casting choice I can’t help but suspect that Villneuve will follow
suit in his own interpretation.
Florence Pugh has also been cast to play his Bene Gesserit trained daughter Princess Irulan.
Her role in the novel is unique as excerpts from her written works serve as an introduction
for various chapters of the book.
Her writings are presented in the form of diary entries and historical commentaries.
Though these passages teach us more about the writer herself they also serve to enhance
our understanding of this strange and complex universe.
Like her father though she doesn’t make a physical appearance until later in the story
however previous adaptations have also taken the creative liberty to increase her screen
time because of the significant role her historical works play in the story of Dune and the character’s
increasing importance in the Dune Saga itself.
David Lynch’s 1984 version opened with an extensive narration by Princess Irulan played
by Virgina Madsen as she sets the stage for the universe of Dune.
In the Sci-Fi channel miniseries adaptation this role, filled by actress Julie Cox, was
given an extensive subplot where some of her actions were taken from other characters in
the novel namely Lady Margot Fenring.
However it doesn’t appear that this will be the route that Denis Villeneuve takes in
his adaptation as it’s recently been revealed that Lea Seydoux is set to play Lady Margot
so it seems she will have her own distinct contribution to the story in line with the
novel.
However at this time there has yet to be an announcement regarding the casting of her
husband Count Hasimir Fenring so I’m really looking forward to hearing who will play the
other half of this enigmatic duo as their actions taken on behalf of the agendas they
serve are closely linked.
Another reason for suspicion that we’ll see an expanded role from those in the Imperial
Court is because of the new addition to the filming locations for the sequel installment.
For Dune Part 2 filming will once again take place in Budapest, Abu Dhabi, and Jordan.
This time however the production will also be filming in Italy which very likely will
serve as the backdrop for the Imperial Homeworld of House Corrino, Kaitain.
I’m really excited to see how the seat of power is depicted and look forward to the
opulence of the Golden Lion Throne.
The crew working behind the scenes to bring Frank Herbert’s story to life on screen
have proven themselves quite capable of portraying the vastly different worlds.
As a result of the crew's efforts the first film won multiple Academy Awards for Sound,
Score, Editing, Cinematography, Production Design and Visual Effects.
For the sequel all of Deni Villeneuve's Award Winning Crafts Team will be returning as well.
We’ll have to wait and see what they’ve created this time for the second half and
conclusion to this epic tale when “Dune: Part Two” premieres November 17, 2023.
But I’m curious to know what you think about Dune Part 2.
Do you have any story elements that you’re looking forward to seeing from the second
half?
Are you particularly excited or concerned about any of the new additions to the cast?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
I hope you enjoyed this video.
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news and lore.
Thank you all so much for your support and as always have a very nerdy day.