Casting 6 New Characters For Dune 3

WARNING! SPOILERS ahead for Dune: Part Two and Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert!

Summary

• Dune: Part Three is on the horizon, introducing new characters like Chani and Princess Irulan for a dynamic new chapter in the series.
• Changes from the source material in Dune 2 help streamline the complex world-building, setting the stage for a riveting continuation in Dune
• Expect intrigue and betrayal in Dune 3, as characters like Scytale, Edric, and Bijaz work against Paul and his quest for power, adding layers of complexity.

Dune: Part Three is coming sooner than audiences think after the thrilling conclusion of Dune: Part Two, and the new characters joining the story open the door for exciting actors to be cast. Based on the Dune book series by Frank Herbert, the first two films in the series followed the story of Paul Atreides’ (Timothée Chalamet) rise from the young heir of House Atreides to Emperor of the universe. The third film will draw from Herbert’s second novel in the collection, Dune Messiah, and returns to Paul and his empire 12 years after the events of Dune: Part Two.

In the books, Chani stands by his side after he leads the Fremen into war and marries Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) to cement his play for the throne. Conversely, she sees his betrayal in the movie and leaves him.

After the Dune 2 ending, audiences were shocked at how much the director, Denis Villeneuve, changed from the source material. However, many of these changes positively impacted the plot’s arc and made the complex world-building of the books easier to understand. Despite this, the changes will affect how the events of Dune: Part Three play out, particularly Chani’s (Zendaya) story. In the books, Chani stands by his side after he leads the Fremen into war and marries Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) to cement his play for the throne. Conversely, she sees his betrayal in the movie and leaves him.

Additionally, Dune 2 cuts Paul and Chani’s child and makes it unlikely that the children they have in Dune Messiah will appear as they do in the book. Their children play a major role in the book; without them, the plot to assassinate Paul and usurp the throne would look quite different. However, Dune 2 still sets up the darkness inside Paul and his trajectory as a false messiah, which will inevitably spark the fire of revolution within the key players introduced who work against him and his corruption.

6 Scytale

Ncuti Gatwa

Ncuti Gatwa is best known for his breakout role in Sex Education but is gaining traction in the sci-fi community as the newest Doctor in Doctor Who. Gatwa’s Doctor Who era has already received great acclaim and warm reviews from fans and critics alike, and with a show that has cultivated such a loyal fanbase over many years, that’s not always easy. However, it’s unsurprising as Gatwa’s trademark is the spark and charisma he brings to every role and the magnetic energy that gets the audience’s heart pounding. Seeing him join the Dune franchise would continue this sci-fi trend.

However, few of Gatwa’s characters have had darker ulterior motives, and though Scytale isn’t exactly a villain, he is working against Paul, the protagonist.

Scytale would be an interesting challenge for the actor, as the Tleilaxu Face Dancer is part of the conspiracy to bring down Paul Atreides and is a cunning political opponent. The Face Dancers can change their appearance and gender at will and have fluid sexuality that Gatwa would embody due to his consistent chemistry with co-stars. However, few of Gatwa’s characters have had darker ulterior motives, and though Scytale isn’t exactly a villain, he is working against Paul, the protagonist. This dynamic exemplifies how Dune challenges the audience to approach each character with nuance and as a morally layered individual.

5 Edric

Mark Hamill

Including Mark Hamill in a sci-fi adventure is risky, as he’s already helmed one of the most iconic space adventures in history, Star Wars. However, as Edric, Hamill would demonstrate his talent for voice acting as the Guild Navigators in Dune become so dependent on Spice that their physical body transforms, becoming inhuman. The actor who takes on the role of Edric would likely only be lending his voice to the role or be in prosthetics. While this might put some performers off, it’s the perfect opportunity for Hamill to be part of the story without distracting from it.

Edric is part of the plot to bring down Paul, a group rounded out by Scytale, Princess Irulan, and the Reverend Mother Mohaim (Charlotte Rampling). Irulan and Mohaim have become disillusioned by any faith or hopes they had for Paul in Dune 2. Paul commits horrible war crimes and uses the Fremen to his advantage, but the Bene Gesserit sisterhood that Irulan and Mohaim serve is no better. Edric and Scytale align themselves with Irulan and Mohaim because they disagree with Paul, but few characters in Dune act out of empathy and compassion, only greed and the desire for power.

4 Korba

Dev Patel

In
Dune
, the Emperor lends the Fedaykin to the Harkonnens so they can invade Arrakis and end House Atreides because the Emperor fears Duke Leto’s (Oscar Isaac) popularity.

The Fedaykin are briefly touched upon in Dune and Dune 2, but they are the loyal and lethal army that pledges themselves to the ruling Emperor. In Dune, the Emperor lends the Fedaykin to the Harkonnens so they can invade Arrakis and end House Atreides because the Emperor fears Duke Leto’s (Oscar Isaac) popularity. However, this ultimately comes back to haunt the Emperor because this sets Paul on the path to becoming the Muad’Dib and becoming the Emperor himself. The Fedaykin make another appearance at the end of Dune 2 when Paul and the Fremen go up against them.

Korba is one of Paul’s Fedaykin in Dune Messiah. Like many of the Fremen who are swept up in Paul’s promises of salvation and freedom for Arrakis, he succumbs to religious fanaticism. The seeds of this are planted with Stilgar’s (Javier Bardem) relationship with Paul in Dune 2, and it’s through characters like Korba that the price of playing the false messiah is paid. Dev Patel would be perfect for the role, considering Patel’s action work in Monkey Man. This recent film shows Patel’s capabilities as a fighter and action hero, skills that would come in handy playing Korba.

3 Bijaz

Jordan Prentice

Over the years, Jordan Prentice has been part of highly critically acclaimed films, including In Bruges, alongside costar Colin Farrell. He’s worked across genres, from fantasy films like Mirror, Mirror to his recent family comedy At Eye Level, showing his ability to fit seamlessly into whatever the world of the story requires. As Bijaz, Prentice could establish a foothold in the sci-fi genre and make a compelling foil to Paul in Dune 3. After Paul is told of the plot against him, Bijaz comes into his service and often acts as a human computer by remembering details with extreme precision.

Like many of the characters who will appear in
Dune 3
, he is against Paul and what he has done to the universe, and his role will continue to drive home the point that Paul is not the hero of
Dune
.

Of course, no one in Dune is what they seem, and though Bijaz is ordered to help Paul, he is a double agent. Bijaz works for Scytale and places a trap to kill Paul when he’s at his weakest. Like many of the characters who will appear in Dune 3, he is against Paul and what he has done to the universe, and his role will continue to drive home the point that Paul is not the hero of Dune. Additionally, it will be interesting to see how Chalamet and Pretince might play out their distrusting dynamic.

2 Lichna

Kirby Howell-Baptiste

Kirby-Howell Baptiste has made appearances in many excellent television shows over the last few years but remains an underrated actress in the film industry. Though she’s been in a few films, her talents deserve to be elevated to a high-profile role that will establish her as a skilled actress across film and television. Her recent role in Netflix’s The Sandman as Death the Endless was a collaboration with writer Neil Gaiman, and her upcoming show, Dead Boy Detectives, will see her returning to the role as part of the larger franchise. Playing Death has introduced Baptiste to the fantasy genre.

As Lichna, Baptiste would have the difficult but rewarding task of playing a role within a role. Early in the story, Lichna is killed and impersonated by Scytale to gain entry into Paul’s world. This allows Baptiste to play essentially two roles, and much of her performance would be influenced by how the actor who plays Scytale gives their performance. Nuanced character work is an enduring aspect of all of Baptiste’s performances, and she would likely work well with Villeneuve, as he is a visionary creator similar to Gaiman.

1 Farok

Ramy Youssef

In both Poor Things and his TV show, Ramy, Ramy Youssef has blended his comedic abilities with a unique talent for empathy and demonstrated a deep understanding of the human experience. Not only is he an actor but also a director, writer, and stand-up comedian, making him qualified in all aspects of the entertainment industry and excellent at picking new projects to work on. Collaborating with Yorgos Lanthimos in Poor Things was a critical first step into transitioning into film. After working with a director like Lanthimos, Youssef will likely seek out roles that continue to push him.

Farok is one of Paul’s Fedaykin, but his character is motivated by more than religious fervor.

He is another example of an actor who is recognizable and brings a clear voice to his work but can fit into the universe of any story, no matter how fantastical. Farok is one of Paul’s Fedaykin, but his character is motivated by more than religious fervor. He sees through Paul’s promises of salvation and witnesses the damage he has done to the universe. Since Chani will no longer be by Paul’s side in Dune: Part Three, it’s possible that she and Farok could join forces as part of the Fremen resistance and work to take Paul down.