Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan is one of the most significant new additions in Dune: Part Two, and here is what happens to the character later in the Dune franchise. Although she made her debut in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune series in Dune: Part Two, the film is just a sneak peek at Princess Irulan’s role in the franchise, with her hand in the story getting much bigger as time goes on. Irulan is one of the most significant and complex characters in the Dune saga, and here is everything that happens to her for the rest of her time in Dune.

Dune: Part Two is finally here, with the highly anticipated continuation of Denis Villeneuve’s beloved 2021 Dune adaptation now released on digital. Dune: Part Two wraps up the story of Frank Herbert’s original sci-fi novel, and while it may seem like a lot of conclusive events occur at the end of Dune: Part Two, the ending is actually only the beginning of the saga. There is still a lot of story left to tell in the world of Dune, and with a third Dune movie already being in development, here is what to expect from Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan next.

Princess Irulan Marries Paul Atriedes After Dune: Part 2

They Both Get Something Out Of It

Paul Atreides has to make a tough choice at the end of Dune: Part Two, with him having to choose between Chani and Princess Irulan. Despite Chani being the one that Paul loves, Timothee Chalamet’s character ends the film by choosing to be with Princess Irulan, which may seem like a surprising decision to some. However, this was clearly a way for Paul Atreides to grab more power, with his marriage to Irulan setting him up to become the next Emperor while also setting the rest of Princess Irulan’s Dune story in motion.

According to the Dune books, Princess Irulan and Paul Atreides get married shortly after the ending of Dune: Part Two, setting Paul up to take over Shaddam IV’s role as Emperor. Irulan agrees to marry Paul for her own benefit, and while she does have a plan that she hopes to enact after getting married to Paul, there is one major figure that throws a wrench in things: Chani. The love triangle of Paul, Irulan, and Chani continues long after Paul’s marriage to Irulan, with this being one of the main plots in the rest of Irulan’s Dune arc.

How Princess Irulan Interferes With Chani’s Plan Of Giving Paul Atriedes An Heir

She Tries To Poison Chani

By marrying Paul, Princess Irulan believes that she has put herself in a position where she would produce the successor to Paul, maintaining her bloodline’s control over the universe. However, when she agrees to marry Paul, she is unaware of Paul and Chani’s love for each other, with this quickly getting in the way of her plans. Paul picks Chani to be one of his consorts, and although he is technically married to Irulan, she soon learns that she is just a means to an end, with Paul actually loving Chani. Thus, Irulan has to act fast.

In an attempt to stop Chani from giving birth to Paul’s heirs, Irulan begins secretly poisoning Chani. However, things don’t work out quite as planned. Chani gets pregnant and gives birth to two children, Leto Atreides II and Ghanima Atreides, both of who become major players in later Dune books. The poison does cause Chani to die during childbirth, meaning that Irulan’s plans worked in a sense. She did kill Paul’s love, but she didn’t prevent Chani from having children, meaning that her bloodline has lost control of the galaxy.

Why Princess Irulan Leaves The Bene Gesserit

She Regrets Her Chani Decision

Princess Irulan’s schemes backfired immensely, leading to the death of Chani and the later death of Paul after he wanders into the desert. After these villainous actions, Irulan changes her ways, with her realizing that her manipulation has caused much more harm than good. Thus, Irulan leaves the Bene Gesserit, no longer desiring to help them enact their centuries-old plan of control.

Irulan’s abandonment of the Bene Gesserit is a big deal, as it prevents them from having any sway in the royal family. Irulan was how the Bene Gesserit were manipulating the Atreides Empire, and without her cooperation, they no longer could control the Imperial family to benefit their plans. Thus, the Bene Gesserit’s centuries of planning fall apart.

How Princess Irulan Becomes An Important Advisor To House Atreides

She Raises Paul & Chani’s Kids

After regretting her decision to kill Chani as well as Paul’s subsequent death, Irulan decides to truly devote herself to House Atreides, with this being the reason that she left the Bene Gesserit. Irulan becomes an advisor to Alia, who becomes Emperor after the death of Paul while Leto and Ghanima are still too young to reign over the galaxy. Although Alia never liked Irulan, she eventually begins to trust her, allowing her to become an important House Atreides advisor.

On top of working alongside House Atreides, Irulan also becomes Leto and Ghanima’s guardian, taking over for Paul and Chani after their deaths. Alia trusts Irulan in this position after her abandonment of the Bene Gesserit cause, with this being a sign of Irulan finally turning over a new leaf.

Why Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan Is So Important To Dune’s Future

She Is One Of Dune’s Most Important Characters

Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan is immensely important to the future of the Dune movies, as she has a greater role in the next few books that will be adapted into films if the series continues. Denis Villeneuve’s Dune 3 will especially give a heavy focus to Princess Irulan, as this is where Irulan’s marriage to Paul, her plans to secure her bloodline’s rule, and her jealousy of Chani all come into play.

On top of that, Irulan’s murder of Chani is one of the most significant moments in the future Dune stories, as it sets off a domino effect that leads to the birth of Paul’s children as well as Paul’s later death. The death of Chani is one of the saddest moments in the Dune franchise, and it all happens thanks to the involvement of Irulan. Princess Irulan’s redemption arc is one of the few positive character changes in the Dune franchise, and her actions combined with her guardianship of Leto and Ghanima show just how vital she is to the series’ future.