As Elvis, Austin Butler got a lot of experience being ordered around by Colonel Tom Parker. Now, for his role in 2023’s Dune: Part Two, Austin Butler has detailed his encounters working under someone far more intimidating: a Navy SEAL.
“For Dune, there were different challenges; there were certain physical things from the first meeting with Denis [Villeneuve], [knowing] what his vision was,” he said. “I worked with this…Navy SEAL [guy] who trained me for months beforehand just to get my body into a place where it was available to not only be an imposing physical presence but do whatever was asked of me.” Butler will portray Feyd-Rautha, a role most famously played by Sting. No official word yet if Dune: Part Two will see Austin Butler in a futuristic speedo.
Other than having been previously played by Sting in David Lynch’s 1984 version of Dune (original director Alejandro Jodorowsky wanted Mick Jagger), Feyd-Rautha was also portrayed by Matt Keeslar in Frank Herbert’s Dune, a miniseries released on Sci Fi (now Syfy) in 2000. Feyd-Rautha is the nephew of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, played by Stellan Skarsgård.
The official plot of Dune: Part Two: “This follow-up film will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”
The first Dune–well, you know what we mean–was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, taking home that night’s most with six. Unfortunately, most of these were awarded prior to the broadcast, something the Academy will fix for next year’s ceremony.
Austin Butler is on the rise. Other than a Golden Globe–and likely Oscar—nominated turn as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, he is rumored to be a candidate to play Human Torch in the MCU’s upcoming The Fantastic Four.
Dune: Part Two will be released on November 3rd, 2023.
How do you think Austin Butler will do in the role of Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part Two? Let us know below!