Frank Herbert's Dune is a much-revered novel, filmed three times for the movies and TV with a different and varied cast each time. So far, to most fans of the book, there has yet to be a definitive adaptation of the House Atreides, though Dune (2021) has many fans.
In the '90s the tech was finally catching up to realize Herbert's vision for Dune. If Dune had been made in that decade, would it have been made as an action movie franchise? Or would the world have seen James Cameron's Dune? Would Harrison Ford have starred with Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Earl Jones?
James Earl Jones Is Thufir Hawat
James Earl Jones is one of the industry's most respected and talented actors, able to move from stage to screen with ease. In the '90s, Jones was doing many 'elder statesmen' kinds of roles, the kind that would fit in with a man who had spent decades serving House Atreides.
Thufir Hawat is a character that is working for two masters and torn between duty and honor. James Earl Jones is an actor that has the gravitas and talent to play a man who has worked for generations for one master and is forced to serve another.
Chow Yun-Fat Is Wellington Yueh
Chow Yun-Fat is one of China's most respected actors, appearing in such movies as Hard Boiled and A Better Tomorrow. American audiences know him from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Anna and the King. He's a versatile actor, comfortable in action, drama, and comedy.
Dr. Yuel is a man of great intelligence, trained in Suk Imperial Conditioning, to never inflict harm. He's a trusted doctor to the House Atreides and the Duke. Chow Yun-Fat could skillfully portray the intellect and dignity of the man, and the pain of his betrayal.
Tim Roth Is Piter De Vries
Tim Roth is an actor known for playing many different low-life characters in films like Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. Playing a sadistic character like Piter De Vries should be right in his wheelhouse.
Much like the gangster Dutch Schultz Roth plays in Hoodlum, the mentant Piter De Vries is vicious, evil, and a torturer who serves the equally evil Baron Harkonnen in ridding the empire of any threat to House Harkonnen.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Is Beast Rabban Harkonnen
The Beast is a huge, fearsome hulk of a man, striking fear in those around him and anyone who might cross him. Arnold Schwarzenegger has the size and the syle and in Schwarzenegger's best films, he is a force to be reckoned with.
In the '90s, Schwarzenegger was the man to go to for parts like this after his breakthrough starring role in the original Conan movies. He'd bring the "I'll be back" attitude to Beast Rabban Harkonnen.
Jet Li is Gurney Halleck
Jet Li is one of the biggest Chinese action stars in movies like Hero and Once Upon a Time in China. He was a martial arts master in his teens and helped start the Hong Kong Kung Fu boom in the nineties. Li is known for his fast and brutal fighting style and lightning-fast kicks and punches.
Gurney Halleck is a weapons master and fearsome fighter, probably the best and most feared in the Dune series. Jet Li is also a highly trained master of martial arts and weapons. He'd be instantly ready to step into the battle against House Harkonnen.
Anthony Hopkins Is Baron Harkonnen
Anthony Hopkins is one of Hollywood's most popular and respected actors, classically trained and with a vast range of talent. In some of Hopkin's best movies, he's capable of playing monsters like Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs, and the people who fight monsters like Van Helsing in Dracula.
Baron Harkonnen is without a doubt a sadistic monster who would be right at home with someone like Lecter. The Baron is an evil presence in the movie without redemption, though Hopkins could probably make him both vile and charming.
Russell Crowe Is Duncan Idaho
Russell Crowe, long before Gladiator, was known as a physical actor, able to project a menacing presence in movies like Romper Stomper. In Crowe's best films, he's intense, dramatic, and with a charm that can cut the edge off the violent characters he would portray.
Duncan Idaho is a fighter, an excellent swordsman, personal protector of the Duke and Paul. He's also known for his handsomeness and the attention he receives from women. Crowe can play all that well and with the intensity for which he's known.
Rene Russo Is Lady Jessica
Rene Russo is a former fashion model, cover girl, and an accomplished actress in films like The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) and Lethal Weapon 3. Tall and stylish, she's known for her grace and talent, portraying a range of parts in both dramas and comedies.
Russo would bring that talent to the part of Lady Jessica of the Atreides. Lady Jessica is the mother of both Paul and Alia and the female protagonist in the novels and would need a talented and strong actress. It would be a great part to show Russo's considerable range and style.
Harrison Ford Is Duke Leto Atreides
The Duke is a leader, running the House Atreides and overseeing the empire. He's a man with grave responsibilities and has to act fast to combat the machinations of the Baron. Harrison Ford is the man for the role.
Ford has shown film after film that he can play thoughtful leaders, presidents, intelligent men that can make fast decisions. Ford is a man of action that can direct others but fight his own battles, all useful traits for Duke Leto Atreides to have to rule Arrakis.
Johnny Depp Is Paul Atreides
Johnny Depp has shown his rage time after time in action movies, mob dramas like Donnie Brasco, comedies, and quirky indy films. An intelligent actor, he was known in the '90s for immersing himself in the roles he played.
A character like Paul Atreides, who goes from son to ruler, to near god would need someone with that kind of strong range to portray the journey of the character. Some who could become that character and make his many facets believable.