A behind-the-scenes video from Dune released by Warner Bros. details the use of makeup to create the film's big bad, Baron Harkonnen. The much-anticipated sci-fi film directed by Denis Villeneuve features a magnificent cast with the likes of Timothee Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem and Stellan Skarsgård, who plays Harkonnen. Skarsgård is no stranger to appearing in big-budget films after his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Dr Erik Selvig. Even so, Dune proved to be a far more ambitious and challenging project for the Swedish actor.
Dune is based on the classic Frank Herbert novel of the same name from 1965. The story is set in the far future and follows a young nobleman named Paul Atreides, as he and his family are forced into a war for the desert planet Arrakis and its resources, which include a drug called "spice" that enhances mental capabilities and helps with space navigation. Given that the universe of Dune is as wide and expansive as it is, Villeneuve and his team would have had their hands full as far as world-building is concerned. However, with his strict attention to detail and a talented crew at his disposal, it's safe to assume that he was able to translate it onto a visual medium seamlessly.
Warner Bros. has released a BTS video showcasing the makeup department head for Dune, Donald Mowat, and the rest of his team on how they brought the villains to life for Villeneuve’s film adaptation. Mowat talks about working with Villeneuve and how he had to "come to the table with an open slate," when it came to exchanging ideas and talking about the things "that really stood out" like the main characters, including Baron Harkonnen. The makeup artist described the process of creating the Harkonnens as "quite complex," and especially so when it came to designing the appearance of the Baron, due to his large stature. Mowat further elaborated on how they had to have a suit specially made for the character and said that it was "a huge, huge undertaking." Watch the video below:
The video also features Stellan Skarsgård speaking about how Denis Villeneuve was open to his input in the direction he wanted to take with his character and make him "a presence that you hadn't seen before." Skarsgård recently spoke about how his transformation into the Baron took 8 hours a day in the makeup chair to create, and in the video, viewers get a sense of how demanding the process must have been. Villeneuve also stressed the importance of not making the Baron look overly exaggerated as he "wanted to feel the menace and weight of a massive human being." Donald Mowat is one of the most sought-after makeup artists in Hollywood and has collaborated with Villeneuve previously in Prisoners, Sicario and Blade Runner 2049, so it's no surprise to see them work together again. This is also a testament to Mowat's genius and meticulously crafted creations.
The trailers and extra footage suggest that Mowat and the rest of his makeup team behind the film have done their part in successfully fashioning an entire race of evil beings with Baron Harkonnen taking center stage. Dune is one of the most hotly anticipated titles of the year, and after multiple delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film is set to release in U.S. theaters on October 22, with a simultaneous release on HBO Max. Dune's current Rotten Tomatoes score stands at 89%, which bodes well for the film ahead of its domestic release.
Source: Warner Bros. UK & Ireland
