Could Robert Pattinson and Denis Villeneuve finally link up in 'Dune Messiah'?
Pattinson is rumored to be playing the antagonist Scytale in Villeneuve's "Dune" finale, and here's why Pattinson is the perfect fit
The Batman’s next arch nemesis? Timmy Chalamet.
Deadline reported this week that the antagonist in Denis Villeneuve’s third and final “Dune” film will be played by none other than Robert Pattinson. It’s not a done deal, but all signs point to Legendary Pictures putting the global star at the top of their wishlist for additions to the cast.
While this does qualify as a blockbuster, “holy shit” film headline, it actually doesn’t feel too surprising. There were murmurs of Pattinson being cast as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in “Dune: Part Two,” partly generated by the actor saying he’d like to join the saga. While that casting never materialized, the bar for villains in the series was raised considerably with the additions of Oscar-nominee Austin Butler as Feyd and Oscar-winner Christopher Walken as the Emperor. No one envies having to follow them up, but Villeneuve has yet to settle for less when it comes to making his dream adaptation come true.
Of course, Pattinson came to fame through blockbuster filmmaking, via Warner Brothers’ “Harry Potter” series and the “Twilight” Saga. He subsequently shunned mainstream Hollywood for the better part of a decade in favor of honing his craft with the likes of David Cronenberg (“Cosmopolis”), the Safdies (“Good Time”) and Claire Denis (“High Life”).
But a knock from Christopher Nolan is a different type of knock, with Pattinson jumping into a key role for “Tenet” before daring to don the cape and cowl in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.” Most recently, he starred in Bong Joon-Ho’s “Mickey 17” (also for WB) and has been cast in Nolan’s adaptation of “The Odyssey.” With Villeneuve emerging as another blank-check auteur, it makes perfect sense that Pattinson would covet a role in the climactic entry of the decade's defining sci-fi saga.
He will fit perfectly in a cast of Hollywood all-stars, teaming again with Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya after starring with them in “The King” and “The Drama,” respectively. It would be his first time to potentially share the screen with Florence Pugh and Anya Taylor-Joy, who had limited roles in “Part Two.” Pattinson would be portraying Scytale, a Face-Dancer of the Bene Tleilax who assumes a variety of appearances in the novel, stealing the identities of other characters. Scytale ultimately aims to overthrow Muad’Dib’s reign by any means possible.
The most chameleonic actor of his generation couldn’t write a better role for himself in “Dune” if he tried. If this casting is any sign of the project’s overall ambition, we are on the verge of an all-time great trilogy.
Speaking of trilogies, Batman fans shouldn’t fret. “Dune” will kick off production this summer, with plenty of time to finish up before “The Batman - Part II” rolls cameras at the end of the year. This bombshell just ensures there’s plenty of Pattinson on the way for cinephiles to enjoy.