One day after Florence Pugh may be appearing in “Dune Part Two,” there has been significant casting news. Austin Butler, who played Elvis in the movie “Elvis,” is reportedly in negotiations to play Feyd-Rautha in the much awaited sequel helmed by Denis Villeneuve.
Fans of “Dune” might recall Sting playing this part in David Lynch’s 1984 “Dune,” which placed a strong emphasis on the “bodied.” The figure, who was frequently spotted wearing nothing more than a codpiece, is a significant antagonist from the original Frank Herbert novel and the nephew of Baron Harkonnen (played in the updated version by Stellan Skarsgard). However, he does so more gently than his older brother Glossu Rabban. The character is harsh and menacing (Dave Bautista in the 2021 version).
Is Dune going the sexy villain route?
Additionally, after the second movie’s announcement last year, Barry Keoghan tweeted cryptically, leading fans (and our own writers) to suspect that he would be playing this part in the sequel. As he appears in a small role in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” which may or may not prove crucial to the franchise, Keoghan appears to be somewhat busy at the moment. Hopefully, Keoghan’s sneaky winking emoji suggests he’ll still have a role to play in the sequel since he would have been fantastic as the evil, deranged figure.
Butler, on the other hand, may flip the character on its head by adding a diametrically opposed romantic element to his malice. The actor is most recognised for his roles as Tex in “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” and as Elvis in the opulent-looking biopic of the same name directed by Baz Luhrmann. Fans of a certain vintage, however, will be aware that Butler has been shattering hearts on film for even longer given that, in the early years of his career, he was a popular option for love interests on the Nickelodeon and Disney Channel circuits.
But Feyd-Rautha isn’t exactly endearing. The dangerous character will undoubtedly play a significant role in the finale opposing Timothee Chalamet’s Paul Atreides as Villeneuve’s interpretation of the second half of the plot develops. Butler’s casting hasn’t been formally confirmed yet because Legendary declined to comment on the Deadline report, but the publication claims the actor is in talks. Pugh is likewise pursuing the role of Princess Irulan.
Given that “Dune Part Two” was one of the year’s best movies, it’s wonderful to see outstanding actors joining the cast. “Dune” received positive reviews from both critics and viewers, breaking the $400 million box office barrier and receiving nine further Academy Award nominations in addition to the Best Picture contender.
The second instalment of “Dune” will hit theatres on October 20, 2023.
