While the broad plot lines remain openly faithful to the novel (some grumps might argue that it’s a bit also faithful), Villeneuve and co-writers Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth made a major change when adapting the first half of the book. Feyd-Rautha, nephew of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) and younger brother of Glossu Rabban (Dave Bautista), was nowhere to be seen.
That’s no longer the case in the sequel, which will feature Feyd prominently throughout the action. Those who know his “Dune” story will remember him as the same character played so memorably by Sting in David Lynch’s 1984 film, but fans can expect a radically different (and slightly less slutty) take this time around with the revelation actor of “Elvis”. rooted in the piece. Thanks to a recent Vanity Fair feature, we know Butler’s portrayal of Feyd-Rautha will channel “a psychotic, sociopathic serial killer and Mick Jagger” in a very different way than the blunt instrument of one of his brothers, Rabban. While his clean-shaven, pale appearance is in stark contrast to how he is portrayed in the book (dark hair, round face, and “sullen” eyes), it seems clear that his supporting role in “Dune: Part 2” will be will stand out.
As the more intelligent and conniving of the Baron’s two nephews, Feyd greatly influences his uncle’s plans from the start. Only 15 years old at the beginning of the novel, the Baron already has great ideas to seat Feyd-Rautha on the Emperor’s throne. A master of knifeplay and one-on-one dueling, Feyd may well have been born to lead the bloodthirsty Harkonnens…if he can be patient long enough. This, naturally, puts him on a collision course with Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides.