In an alternate timeline, we’d already be creaming our pants in response to the epic experience of seeing Dune: Part Two in its full IMAX glory. But in a way, the added months of anticipation/Hollywood strike-induced delay will only make said experience more impactful. That is, at least, based on the all-out spectacle the new Dune: Part Two trailer is promising us.
Where the first instalment of Denis Villeneuve‘s “impossible” adaptation was steered towards universe building and laying the narrative foundation, this forthcoming sequel will be, as the director himself declares, “more of an action movie.” And he ain’t lying.
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The preview offered today showcases full-scale scenes of the Fremen rebellion against both Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken) and House Harkonnen; led by the exiled Duke Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), the film’s messianic protagonist, and Fremen warrior/love interest Chani (Zendaya).
As with earlier trailers we also get a glimpse of Austin Butler’s sadistic Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen — Baron Vladimir Harkonnen’s (Stellan Skarsgård) youngest nephew, heir apparent of House Harkonnen, and a formidable antagonist to Chalamet’s Paul Atreides.
“He’s someone Machiavellian, much more cruel, much more strategic, and is more narcissistic,” Denis Villeneuve explained of the character (previously 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.”
The new Dune: Part Two trailer drops in the wake of reports it’ll be Villeneuve’s longest feature-length film to date at three hours and 15 minutes. How bloody good.
In addition to Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Stellan Skarsgård, Christopher Walken, 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; and Javier Bardem as Stilgar — leader of the Fremen tribe at Sietch Tabr.
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You can also expect Dave Bautista, who reprises his role as Glossu Rabban — the brutish nephew of Baron Harkonnen and older brother of Feyd-Rautha; 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 set for an Australia release date on March 1st, 2024.
