A key Fremen actor addresses whether they will return for Dune 3. Taking $714 million at the box office, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part 2 surpassed all expectations commercially, while generating Oscar buzz for Villeneuve and his behind-the-camera team. Now Villeneuve looks to complete the story of Paul Atreides, and has begun the task of adapting Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah into Dune: Part Three.
Confirmation of returning stars for the third Dune movie is still in the future, but Stilgar actor Javier Bardem has made it known that he definitely wants to go back to the desert with Villeneuve. Bardem indicated that he won’t be happy if, for some reason, Villeneuve writes Stilgar out of the trilogy (via Variety):
“I know that I’m in the book, so I should be in the script. If I’m not, I will be very angry and I will let him know. I will go to Canada. Seriously though, I totally love him. I adore him. Whatever he wants, and whatever he decides, it will be fine for me. Absolutely. He’s one of a kind. He’s an extraordinary human being. Such a loving man, fun, funny as hell, and a real worker.”
What This Means For Dune 3
Stilgar Is An Important Part Of Dune Messiah
Herbert’s Dune Messiah picks up the action over a decade after the events of the first Dune novel. The story sees Emperor Paul married to Princess Irulan, but sharing his bed with his concubine Chani. The Harkonnens may no longer be a threat, but Paul has plenty of other enemies, who conspire to end his reign and restore the universe to its proper order.
Bardem was delightful as Stilgar, bringing an unexpected humor to the character, whose blind fanaticism could’ve easily become grating otherwise.
Bardem’s Stilgar is indeed still on the scene in Dune Messiah. Paul’s biggest Fremen follower showed himself to be fanatically devoted in the first two Dune movies, and if Villeneuve follows the book for Dune 3, Stilgar will still be Paul’s most devoted, and trusted, lieutenant. Given the size of Stilgar’s role in Dune Messiah, it would be a surprise if Villeneuve elected to dispense with the character.
Our Take On Javier Bardem’s Potential Dune 3 Return
Bardem Added Some Levity To Dune: Part Two
Bardem’s character was only briefly seen in Dune: Part 1, as the movie focused on the conflict between the Atreides and Harkonnens. Dune: Part 2 then saw Stilgar and the Fremen fully emerge as characters, fleshing out the desert warriors in a rich and satisfying way. Bardem was delightful as Stilgar, bringing an unexpected humor to the character, whose fanaticism could’ve easily become grating otherwise.
It would be disappointing indeed if Bardem were not back for Dune 3, but there’s no reason to believe Villeneuve will write Stilgar out of the action. Stilgar may not have much character development in Dune Messiah, but he does remain a key part of the action, as Paul endures a tortuous reign as emperor, while trying to outfox the various conspirators who are coming for his throne. Bardem’s presence somewhat lightened the mood of Dune 2, and it’s reasonable to expect that he will do the same for the last chapter in Villeneuve’s sci-fi saga.
Source: Variety