Last month, Dune: Part Two, the second half of director Denis Villeneuve‘s two-part adaptation of the Frank Herbert novel Dune (which is set to reach theatres on November 3, 2023), wrapped production after five months of filming in locations including Budapest, Abu Dhabi, Jordan, and Italy… but it has only just now been revealed (via The Hollywood Reporter) that Tim Blake Nelson (O Brother, Where Art Thou?) is in the cast. And not even The Hollywood Reporter was able to unearth information on the character Nelson is playing in the film.
Scripted by Villeneuve, Eric Roth, and Jon Spaihts, Dune: Part One (watch or buy it HERE) 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. Coming to us from Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment, Dune: Part Two 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.
Chalamet and Nelson are joined in the cast by returning Dune: Part One cast members Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Josh Brolin, as well as new additions Austin Butler, Christopher Walken, Florence Pugh, Souheila Yacoub, and Léa Seydoux.
Villeneuve and Spaihts wrote the screenplay for Dune: Part Two. Villeneuve is also producing the film with Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Tanya Lapointe, and Patrick McCormick. Spaihts serves as executive producer alongside Josh Grode, Herbert W. Gains, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, Thomas Tull, Richard P. Rubinstein, and John Harrison. Kevin J. Anderson is creative consultant.
I don’t know much about the Dune franchise, but I do know that Tim Blake Nelson is a great addition to any cast, so I’m glad to hear he’ll be appearing in Dune: Part Two. What do you think of this bit of casting news? Let us know by leaving a comment below.