The Dune: Part Two trailer has finally arrived, and like Timothee Chalamet’s Paul Atreides, it’s everything we were promised.
Since we last checked in with the young Duke of House Atreides, it appears as though he’s steadily been learning the ways of the Fremen. Not just in mere culture and values, but even hitching a ride on the colossal sandworms which lurk beneath the surface of the unforgiving desert planet Arrakis. The predicted romance between Paul and Fremen woman Chani (Zendaya) has also blossomed nicely during the interim period.
While all this has been unfolding, however, the ever-present threat of House Harkonnen has grown in equal measure. 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 the previous instalment, 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,” director Denis Villeneuve explained of the character originally portrayed by Sting in David Lynch’s famously divisive attempt at bringing the Frank Herbert mythology to screens circa 1984.
“[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.”
Based on the footage previewed today – and the lore itself – Feyd-Rautha is rather handy with a knife.
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.
Since the much-hyped sequel’s initial announcement, a handful of heavy-hitting names have been added to the cast. Most notably Christopher Walken, who portrays the villainous Emperor Shaddam IV (and is still noticeably/strategically absent from all marketing promos); 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.
Similar to Denis Villeneuve’s first Dune, Part Two has been collaboratively adapted by Villeneuve himself, Jon Spaihts (Prometheus, Doctor Strange, Passengers), and Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, The Insider, A Star Is Born); while the cinematography has once again been accomplished by Aussie talent Greig Fraser – who you will have probably encountered in Zero Dark Thirty, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Hans Zimmer also returned to compose the rousing and atmospheric score for this one.
Dune: Part Two is on track for its November 3rd of 2023 release date – check out the trailer above and official synopsis below.
Dune: Part Two Synopsis:
Dune: Part Two 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 endeavours to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
