Dune: Part 2 has been officially confirmed, and director Denis Villeneuve has raised interest by suggesting the sequel will delve deeper into House Harkonnen. In an interview with Empire, Villeneuve states that he wanted Part 1 of his two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel to focus on Paul's experience on an alien world, but Part 2 will take a broader view of the universe, including "much more Harkonnen stuff." This suggestion makes the upcoming sequel even more exciting, as it will help deepen the universe and introduce crucial characters such as Feyd-Rautha.
Villeneuve's 2021 adaptation of Dune was a critical and commercial hit, but it only adapted half of the original novel, and ended with the central conflict between the Houses Atreides and Harkonnen unresolved. Dune: Part 2 will bring back all the cast and crew, from star Timothee Chalamet to composer Hans Zimmer, and complete Paul's quest to get revenge on the Harkonnens and fulfill his destiny as the Kwisatz Haderach. The sequel is expected to start filming this summer and arrive in October 2023.
In Dune: Part 1, the Harkonnens appear as fairly one-dimensional villains, luring the Atreides into a trap and then slaughtering most of them. Herbert's book contains the perspectives and inner thoughts of many characters, including House Harkonnen members such as the Baron and his mentat Piter, but Villeneuve's film largely sticks to Paul's perspective. Dune: Part 2 will allow Villeneuve to better explore the Harkonnens and deepen them. The sequel could delve into the roots of the ancient grudge between Atreides and Harkonnen, as well as the Harkonnens' treacherous relationship with the ruling House Corrino. By changing the focus to the Harkonnens, Villeneuve can present a more well-rounded story with antagonists that have sincere and compelling motivations, making the inevitable showdown even more enticing for audiences.
An expanded role for the Harkonnens will also give some more screen time to some of the series' best actors. Acclaimed actor Stellan Skarsgard, who plays Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, will hopefully be able to add depth to the villainous character. Dave Bautista has one of the most compelling screen presences in Hollywood today, but didn't have much to do as Beast Rabban in Dune: Part 1. An expanded Harkonnen presence in Dune: Part 2 would give these actors and others more to sink their teeth into.
Dune: Part 2 will also likely introduce one of the original book's most important characters, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Feyd-Rautha is the younger brother of Rabban and Vladimir's anointed heir, acting as a direct counterpart to Paul and playing a key role in the story's climax. He is memorably played by a Speedo-clad Sting in David Lynch's 1984 Dune adaptation, and Dune: Part 2 will be looking to make its version of Feyd-Rautha just as iconic. Rumors swirl around who will be cast in the role, with some suggested names including Robert Pattinson, Barry Keoghan, Harry Styles and Tom Holland.
Herbert's Dune isn't just the story of Paul Atreides, but rather an interplanetary power struggle. Villeneuve's suggestion that Dune: Part 2 will deal more with House Harkonnen suggests that it will help show this conflict in fuller scope. This makes the upcoming film very exciting for Dune fans new and old.
