Tim Blake Nelson has joined the cast of Dennis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, based on Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi book. The film’s first part follows the messianic journey of Paul Atreides on the desert planet Arrakis, where he teams up with the Fremen to fight against the Harkonnens. Part Two will conclude the story told in the first book of the Dune series, which was only partially adapted in the first film. Filming for Part Two wrapped in mid-December.
Tim Blake Nelson has joined the cast of Dune: Part Two, directed by Dennis Villeneuve, though his role is currently being kept secret. Nelson has recently appeared in films such as Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities and Pinocchio for Netflix, and will also reprise his role as the Leader in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film Captain America: New World Order.
An update on what is currently known about Dune: Part Two
In addition to Tim Blake Nelson, Dune: Part Two features an all-star cast of newcomers including Austin Butler as Follow-Rautha Harkonnen, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan Corrino, Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV, and Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot. The actress for the role of Alia Atreides has not yet been announced. They will be joined by returning cast members Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, and Stellan Skarsgård.
In Dune: Part Two, Paul (Chalamet) will spend more time with the Fremen as House Harkonnen successfully invades and takes over House Atreides. At the end of Dune: Part One, Paul’s father is dead, he is separated from the rest of the Atreides bannermen, and he starts to live up to the expectations of the Fremen. Dune: Part Two will follow themes of revenge, reunion, rebirth, and environmentalism, as well as the messianic arc of Paul. The character of Followd-Rautha (played by Austin Butler) will also be introduced and will become a rival to Paul.
Frank Herbert’s iconic science fiction novel, previously thought to be unfilmable, has been successfully adapted by Dennis Villeneuve and his team. Tim Blake Nelson’s role in the film has not yet been revealed, but there are many possibilities given the expansive world and rich lore of the source material. The conclusion of the story will be revealed when Dune: Part Two is released on November 3rd.