Robert Pattinson Eyed for Dune 3 Role

Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures' upcoming Dune installment is falling into place. Denis Villeneuve returns to direct Dune 3 alongside returning stars like Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Anya Taylor-Joy. Now we've learned about a potential major new addition - Deadline reports Robert Pattinson is in talks to join Dune 3 in a significant role. Looks like The Batman might not be Pattinson's only DC extended universe gig moving forward.

While we don't yet know exactly which character he'll portray, THR hints he'll likely play a villain. Based on where Dune: Part Two concludes and Frank Herbert's novels, we can make some educated guesses about which roles would suit Pattinson best. Let's examine the top Dune characters Pattinson could embody in this next chapter.

Scytale

Assuming Dune 3 primarily adapts Dune Messiah rather than jumping into Children of Dune territory, there are limited new characters suitable for Pattinson's star power. If not playing Leto II, our money's on Scytale - coincidentally THR's suggested role.

Scytale serves as Messiah's primary antagonist, orchestrating a conspiracy against Emperor Paul Atreides, who now commands legions of zealous Fremen devotees. While the first two films chronicled Paul's transformation from noble heir to desert prophet, Part Three will likely explore the burdens of rulership. The crown never rests lightly.

Plots against a prescient emperor like Paul pose unique challenges. Scytale and his accomplices (including Charlotte Rampling's Reverend Mother) can only circumvent Paul's future-sight with aid from Guild Navigator Edric, whose spice-induced abilities distort spacetime perception.

This Tleilaxu Face Dancer (a shapeshifting race glimpsed in Dune: Prophecy) offers Pattinson rich villainous material - a welcome departure after predominantly heroic franchise turns. Scytale's arc also leaves room for potential returns in future sequels (without spoiling Messiah's conclusion).

But could other villainous roles suit Pattinson's talents? Let's explore alternatives.

Leto Atreides II

Given Pattinson's resemblance to Chalamet and considerable star power, another Atreides comes to mind - perhaps Paul's son Leto II, arguably the saga's most pivotal character overall.

We should clarify there are actually two Leto IIs - Paul's firstborn (who dies in the novel's Sardaukar attack, omitted from Part Two) and the younger Leto II from Messiah. The latter begins as an infant but evolves into Children of Dune's protagonist and God Emperor's infamous sandworm hybrid (that bizarre creature on the book cover? That's Leto).

While Messiah-focused, director Villeneuve has already taken creative liberties - Taylor-Joy appears as unborn Alia via spice visions in Part Two. Could Pattinson similarly portray a grown Leto II through prophetic glimpses? This casting would set up his continued involvement as the saga progresses toward Leto's worm-god destiny.

Prince Farad'n Corrino

If Dune 3 incorporates Children of Dune material, consider Prince Farad'n - Shaddam IV's grandson (Christopher Walken's deposed emperor from Part Two) and the Corrino family's last hope. Raised on brutal Salusa Secundus as a Sardaukar warrior, Farad'n ironically prefers scholarly pursuits to power plays.

This complex antagonist (more reluctant than ruthless) could showcase Pattinson's range while maintaining moral ambiguity - rare in this cutthroat universe where even heroes have bloody hands.

Dune: Part 2 Character Gallery

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A New Fremen Rebel

Given Part Two's radical Chani departure from the novels (rejecting Paul rather than supporting his jihad), Dune 3 will inevitably diverge further. Might Villeneuve introduce original characters?

Perhaps Pattinson could play a Fremen revolutionary allied with Chani's anti-Paul faction - essentially a heroic antagonist opposing the emperor's galactic crusade. This would align with Herbert's warnings about charismatic leaders while allowing complex character dynamics - maybe even a love triangle with Chani torn between Paul and this new rebel.

Which role do you envision for Pattinson? Vote in our poll and share your theories below: