Dune: Part Two hopes to conclude Frank Herbert's 1965 novel on an epic high note, and according to star Dave Bautista, it will succeed.
A direct sequel to 2021's Dune, Part Two will cover the book's second half and focus heavily on Paul's relationship with the Fremen group and his journey to prevent a terrible future that only he can predict. Pre-shooting started on July 4, 2022, at the Brion tomb in Altivole, Italy, while Dune 2 principal photography began on July 18 in Budapest, Hungary. Filming in Abu Dhabi kicked off in November and concluded the following month.
Sitting down with Collider in a recent interview, Bautista, who reprises his role as Glossu 'Beast' Rabban, spoke about Dune 2, sharing that it takes everything from the first film to another level. “This is so amped up from the first film. The first film was just an introduction to what this film is," he said. "There's just so much going on, it's so much more cutthroat and political and intense. And there are moments of levity where [there are] some funny moments, and they're kind of absurd humor, but there are those moments. So it's just so much more amped up than the first film.”
Bautista said he also spent more time with Dune 2 director Denis Villeneuve - a filmmaker he's collaborated with three times - due to his larger role in the sequel. “I got to spend much more time with Denis, which I crave for because I love working with Denis," Bautista said. "And Denis, again, he just brings out the best in me, and this was such an amazing experience."
Other than Bautista, Dune 2's star-studded ensemble includes Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Zendaya as Chani, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Harkonnen, Stephen McKinley Henderson as Thufir Hawat, Charlotte Rampling as Gaius Helen Mohiam and Javier Bardem as Stilgar. Newcomers include Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan Corrino, Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha, Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV, Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot, Souheila Yacoub as Fremen leader Shishakli, and Tim Blake Nelson in an undisclosed role.
While it's unclear if Villeneuve will return for more sequels, the prequel spinoff series Dune: Sisterhood began production in November. It is set thousands of years before Dune and focuses on the Bene Gesserit's origins.
Dune: Part Two arrives in theatres on November 3, 2023.
Source: Collider/YouTube