It’s time to head back to Arrakis… well, eventually. Dune: Part Two is in the works and the follow-up will feature some new faces. Although we’ll have to wait a bit longer than we thought to watch it. Deadline reports its release has been delayed to November 17, 2023. But to make the wait worthwhile, let’s take a look at some of the official and reported cast for Dune: Part Two.
The latest cast member to reportedly join the sequel is Souheila Yacoub. Yacoub will play Shishakli, according to Deadline. This news comes on the heels of reports that Léa Seydoux is in talks for the movie as well. According to Deadline, if Seydoux joins the cast, she will play the role of Lady Margot Fenring. Lady Margot is “a long-standing servant of the Sisterhood” in Frank Herbert’s novel. Although eventually, it seems, she may turn from the Bene Gesserit to serve her own ends.
Christopher Walken also recently became a part of Dune: Part Two. A particularly fitting casting given Walken’s “Walk without rhythm, it won’t attract the worm” line in Fatboy Slim’s “Weapon of Choice.” The news was first shared by The Hollywood Reporter and was confirmed by the Dune movie’s official Instagram account. Walken joins other reported new Dune: Part Two cast members Florence Pugh and Austin Butler. Rumors state Walken will portray Emperor Shaddam IV, Pugh will portray his daughter Irulan, and Butler will take on the role of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the Baron’s nephew and heir.
When we last left Paul Atreides and his mother Jessica in Dune: Part One, they’d fled their home after the attack by the Harkonnens and were traveling with the Fremen. This means we have a whole lot more Herbert material to get through. And we haven’t even gotten to Dune Messiah, Denis Villenueve’s dream Part Three, yet.
In addition to Chalamet, the trio joins Javier Bardem, Zendaya, and Rebecca Ferguson. Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, and Stellan Skarsgard will return as well. Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, Princess Irulan, and Feyd-Rautha are a few of a handful of major new characters expected to appear in the sequel.
Dune released in theaters in late October 2021, emerging as a critical and box office success. Legendary and Warner Bros. confirmed the sequel just a few days later. Denis Villeneuve returns to direct Part Two. He said in a statement:
I just received news from Legendary that we are officially moving forward with Dune: Part Two. It was a dream of mine to adapt Frank Herbert’s Dune and I have the fans, the cast, and crew, Legendary and Warner Bros. to thank for supporting this dream. This is only the beginning.
Dune nabbed a whopping 10 Oscar nominations, including best picture, adapted screenplay, cinematography, and original score. It won a total of six, including cinematography and original score. Dune: Part Two will begin filming this summer. We’ll be on the lookout for any other major developments. And giant sandworms. We’re always keeping our eyes peeled for those spooky creatures.
Originally published on May 12.
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