Director Denis Villeneuve confirms that the villainous Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen will be in Dune: Part Two. Dune: Part One was just released in theaters and on HBO Max and encompasses the first half of the famed sci-fi novel by author Frank Herbert. Villeneuve directed the film, taking the risk of shooting only half the book in the hopes that it would be successful enough to warrant a sequel, that would complete the adaptation. Legendary and WB confirmed that the second half was greenlit two days after the film’s debut, putting Villeneuve back on Dune duty.
Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is the nephew of Baron Harkonnen and designated heir to the throne of House Harkonnen. Feyd’s older brother is Beast Rabban Harkonnen, played by Dave Bautista in the new adaptation. Feyd is known for his charisma and cruelty, as well as his abilities in single combat, making him a formidable threat to Paul Atreides, especially since he was bred in the same breeding program as Paul organized by the Bene Gesserit. Feyd was played by Sting in director David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation.
Feyd-Rautha was notably absent from Dune: Part One, but director Denis Villeneuve has confirmed via Empire that he will be a “very, very important character” in Dune: Part Two. Villeneuve goes on to explain that it was a choice he “personally brought on” when filming the first part, as there were already enough characters introduced in the first part. He says it will be “more elegant” to save Feyd for Dune: Part Two. Here’s his full quote.
“Definitely. That’s a choice that I personally brought on. There was enough characters that were introduced in this first part, and it will be more elegant to keep Feyd for Part Two. It will be definitely a very, very important character in the second part.”
The other notable character absent from Dune: Part One is the Emperor Shaddam IV, who is an instrumental and manipulative force in the overall story of Dune. Casting both Shaddam IV and Feyd-Rautha will be especially important, as both characters need to possess certain qualities and personas to capture their demeanor from the book. After whispers that Villeneuve may be combining Rabban and Feyd into one character, it’s a relief that Feyd will be introduced in the sequel. It’s been rumored that Eternals‘ Barry Keoghan may be in contention for the role of Feyd, which he’s said he’d “definitely” be keen to take on.
Regardless of who plays Feyd (and Keoghan would certainly be an amazing choice), the role is a very significant one. The character features prominently in Paul’s journey, acting much like a competitor for the title of Kwisatz Haderach given the similarities between the two. Sting brought a kind of wild-eyed, psychotic air to his performance as Feyd in Lynch’s Dune, playing it very showy in true rock star fashion. It’s unlikely that Villeneuve would take the same direction for his Feyd, but would surely honor his portrayal in Herbert’s novel, making for a very new and interesting version for audiences to see. More than anything, it will be a thrill to see Paul with a formidable enemy to contend with when Dune: Part Two hits theaters on October 20, 2023.
Key Release Dates
Dune 2
Release Date:2023-11-03
