The spice must flow, as must stunning images of the Dune cast. Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi masterpiece novel will bring Arrakis to the screen as we’ve never seen it before. The film, slated to debut in October, tells the story of Paul Atreides. A young man forced to leave his homeworld of Caladan for the harsh desert environs of Arrakis, Paul must chase his destiny. Arrakis, its spice, and its native people all play a part in Paul’s journey. He goes from living a life of comfort as the son of Duke Leto Atreides to making his own way in the world—and on a world that is harsh and unfriendly.
And now, as we get ever closer to Dune‘s release, we have a batch of rich character posters. The images give us detailed looks at much of the main cast. It’s not a small ensemble. Several characters play key roles in Paul’s destiny. If you need a who’s who refresher, we have you covered. Now let’s get into these character posters, beginning with Paul Atreides himself (Timothée Chalamet).
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And why not jump ahead to look at the villain of our story? One Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård). As the head of the Harkonnen family, the Baron has it in for the Atreides. He knows whoever controls the spice, controls the universe, and the Baron isn’t ready to relinquish that power to the Atreides. While we’re talking about the Baron, let’s get to know more of his dastardly crew: Beast Rabban (Dave Bautista) and Piter De Vries (David Dastmalchian). The Beast, also known as Glossu Rabban Harkonnen, is the Baron’s nephew. As you can guess by the nickname, he’s brutal. In the book, he earned that nickname by killing his father. De Vries is a Mentat, sadist, and all around not great person.
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Yet another key figure in Dune: Chani (Zendaya). A Fremen who knows the desert and its mysteries and dangers well, Chani helps Paul adjust to life in the sands.
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Below, we have Paul’s parents: Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) and Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson). The latter is one of the Bene Gesserit, an organization focused on controlling bloodlines and power throughout the Dune universe. She was supposed to give Leto a girl, not a boy…
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Going back to the desert and the Fremen, we have Stilgar (Javier Bardem). A leader of the Fremen, he becomes a mentor of sorts to Paul. Stilgar’s big on tough love.
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Growing up in the household of a Duke means certain luxuries. A young Paul has multiple teachers to instruct him not only in academia, but fighting and worldly know-how. First up, Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin), known as a warrior poet. He gives Paul lessons about the planets and politics in the Dune universe, yes, but also in strategy and war. Then Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa), a swordmaster, teaches Paul the ins and outs of melee fighting. Last but not least, meet Thufir Hawat (Stephen McKinley Henderson), a Mentat and House Atreides’ Master of Assassins.
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Next: Liet Kynes (Sharon Duncan-Brewster). In the book, Kynes serves as Arrakis’ Imperial Planetologist. She helps the Atreides get settled and understand the ecology of the desert planet. But something’s happening beyond the surface…
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Dr. Yueh (Chang Chen) is the Atreides family’s personal physician. He’s earned Duke Leto’s trust, Lady Jessica vents to him sometimes. And he has a big role to play…
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To round out the posters, behold Reverend Mother Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling). An important figure in the Bene Gesserit, Mohiam has close ties to Lady Jessica. She administers the Gom Jabbar test to Paul. Do not recommend messing with her.
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These characters depict the story’s key players. So many come together in this story of one young man’s chose one quest. Dune arrives to theaters on October 22, 2021.
Originally published July 19, 2021.
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