Powerhouse director Denis Villeneuve clearly doesn’t believe having “too much” of a good thing applies to the Dune: Part Two runtime.
According to a new report from World of Reel, an early cut of the hotly-anticipated sequel currently has an epic total duration of three hours and 15 minutes. For reference, the previous franchise instalment came to two hours and 35 minutes.
Of course, considering it is an early cut, this tidbit should be taken with a grain of salt (or, more appropriately, spice). A lot could change between now and the scheduled November premiere — although we’re hoping that a director’s edition of the wildly ambitious sci-fi adaptation is on the cards post-theatrical release.
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Following where Villeneuve left audiences at the conclusion of the first film, Dune: Part Two will explore the “mythic journey” of Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) as he unites with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family: House Harkonnen.
Beyond Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard) and his brutish nephew Glossu Rabban (Dave Bautista), who were the blunt instrument of destruction responsible for overthrowing House Atreides in 2021’s Dune, there’s the other nephew and planned successor of Arrakis: Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler).
“He’s someone Machiavellian, much more cruel, much more strategic, and is more narcissistic,” Denis Villeneuve explained of the character originally portrayed by Sting in David Lynch’s famously divisive 1984 adaptation.
“[His brother] Rabban finds himself, at the end of part one, in the position where he doesn’t have the brain to be able to manage and control all these operations. Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is a very clever, very charismatic figure, and much more brilliant.”
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In addition to Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, and Austin Butler, Dune: Part Two re-welcomes Rebecca Ferguson as Paul’s mother and Bene Gesserit Lady Jessica; Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck — House Atreides’ weapons master and mentor to Paul; Javier Bardem as Stilgar — leader of the native Arakis tribe.
You can also expect the heavy-hitting likes of Christopher Walken, who portrays the villainous Emperor Shaddam IV (and recently unveiled in the trailer below), Hollywood it-girl Florence Pugh as Emperor Shaddam IV’s daughter Princess Irulan, plus Bond alum Lea Seydoux as Lady Margot — a Bene Gesserit and close friend of the Emperor.
Dune: Part Two is on track for its November 3rd of 2023 release date.
