Dune 2: Austin Butler is in talks to join the sequel in a key villainous role

Elvis star Austin Butler is in talks to join the cast of Dune 2. If the deal goes through, Butler will play Feyd-Rautha, the cunning nephew of the baron, who heads House Harkonnen.

The project, which aims to shoot this summer at a series of international locales, also has Florence Pugh (Midsommar, Black Widow) negotiating for a part. The Hollywood Reporter hears that Pugh is in talks to play the character Princess Irulan, who is one of three major roles that need to be filled for this half of the story. The others are Emperor Shaddam IV, “the ruler who sent the Atreides family to Arrakis”, and Butler’s Feyd-Rautha. Princess Irulan is “the daughter of the Emperor.”

Returning for another round of spicy sci-fi goodness are Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin, among others.

Scripted by Denis Villeneuve, Eric Roth, and Jon Spaihts, Dune: Part One stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, “a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding” who “must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence – a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential – only those who can conquer their fear will survive.”

Chalamet’s co-stars included Oscar Issac as Paul’s father Duke Leto Atreides; Rebecca Ferguson as Paul’s mother Lady Jessica; Josh Brolin as troubadour-swordsman Gurney Halleck; Jason Momoa as swordmaster Duncan Idaho; Stellan Skarsgård as the villainous Baron Harkonnen; Dave Bautista as the brutish “Beast” Rabban; Javier Bardem as helpful tribe leader Stilgar; David Dastmalchian as the twisted Piter De Vries; Sharon Duncan-Brewster as ecologist Doctor Liet Kynes; Charlotte Rampling as the emperor’s truthsayer Reverend Mother Mohiam; Chang Chen as physician Dr. Yueh; Stephen McKinley Henderson as Thufir Hawat, Master of Assassins for House Atreides; and Zendaya as Chani, “a mystery woman who haunts Paul in his dreams”.

What do you think about Austin Butler joining the cast of Dune 2? Do you think he’s got what it takes to play Feyd-Rautha? Opinions about Pugh possibly taking the role of Princess Irulan are already flying around online, with many feeling mixed about her being offered the part. Sound off in the comments section below, and let us know how you think Dune 2 is shaping up so far.