What to Expect from Dune: Part Two: Cast, Plot, Details

Last updated on March 6th, 2024 at 10:15 pm

Dune: Part Two is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2021 sci-fi epic Dune, directed by Denis Villeneuve and based on the classic novel by Frank Herbert. The sequel will conclude the story of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a young noble who becomes the leader of a desert rebellion against a galactic empire. Here are some of the things you can expect from Dune: Part Two.

The Cast

Dune: Part Two will feature most of the cast members from the first film, as well as some new additions. The returning cast includes:

– Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, the son of Duke Leto Atreides and Lady Jessica, and the prophesied messiah of the Fremen, the native people of the desert planet Arrakis.

– Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Paul’s mother and a member of the Bene Gesserit, a powerful order of women with mystical abilities.

– Zendaya as Chani, Paul’s love interest and a Fremen warrior.

– Oscar Isaac as Duke Leto Atreides, Paul’s father and the leader of House Atreides, who was killed by the Harkonnens in the first film.

– Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, a loyal friend and mentor of Paul, and a skilled fighter and musician.

– Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, a loyal friend and bodyguard of Paul, who sacrificed himself to save him in the first film.

– Javier Bardem as Stilgar, the leader of the Fremen tribe that Paul and Jessica join.

– Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, the leader of House Harkonnen, the archenemy of House Atreides, and a ruthless tyrant.

– Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban, the nephew of the Baron and the brutal governor of Arrakis.

– David Dastmalchian as Piter De Vries, a twisted and sadistic mentat, a human computer, who serves the Baron.

– Charlotte Rampling as Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, the leader of the Bene Gesserit and a close advisor of the Emperor.

– Stephen McKinley Henderson as Thufir Hawat, a loyal friend and mentat of House Atreides, who was captured by the Harkonnens in the first film.

The new cast members include:

– Christopher Walken as Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, the ruler of the Imperium, the galactic empire that controls the spice trade.

– Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, the daughter of the Emperor and a historian who narrates the story of Dune.

– Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the nephew of the Baron and the rival of Paul, who is sent to kill him.

– Zendaya as Alia Atreides, Paul’s sister, who was born with the powers of the Reverend Mother after Jessica drank the Water of Life, a poisonous substance that triggers a genetic awakening, while pregnant.

The Plot

Dune: Part Two will follow the second half of Herbert’s novel, which covers the events that take place after Paul and Jessica join the Fremen. The sequel will explore Paul’s rise as the leader of the Fremen rebellion, his relationship with Chani, his visions of the future, and his confrontation with the Emperor and the Harkonnens. The sequel will also introduce Paul’s sister Alia, who will play a crucial role in the story.

According to Villeneuve, the sequel will be more action-packed, emotional, and satisfying than the first film. “For me, this film is much better than Part One. There’s something more alive in it. There’s a relationship to the characters,” he said at a press conference in December 2023. “I was trying to reach for an intensity and a quality of emotions that I didn’t reach with Part One and that I did reach with Part Two.”

The Details

Dune: Part Two is scheduled to be released on March 1, 2024, in theaters and on HBO Max. The film was originally planned to be released in October 2023, but was delayed due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes that affected the production and post-production of the film. The film has a runtime of 156 minutes, making it slightly longer than the first film, which had a runtime of 155 minutes.

The film was shot back-to-back with the first film, with principal photography taking place from March to July 2019, in locations such as Hungary, Jordan, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates. The film was also shot with IMAX cameras, to enhance the cinematic experience and the visual effects. The film has a budget of $165 million, slightly higher than the first film, which had a budget of $160 million.

The film is expected to be a box office success, as the first film was well-received by critics and audiences, and grossed over $400 million worldwide. The film is also expected to be a contender for several awards, especially in the technical categories, such as cinematography, production design, sound, and visual effects. The film is also likely to be followed by a sequel, as Villeneuve has expressed his interest in adapting the second novel in Herbert’s series, Dune Messiah, which continues the story of Paul and his legacy.