Warning: Contains potential Dune: Part Two SPOILERS based on Frank Herbert's book!

Summary

• Alia Atreides' role in Dune: Part Two has been changed, setting up a more satisfying finale for another major character.
• Alia is referred to as an embryo who advises her mother from the womb, indicating that she is not born in Dune 2.
• Lady Jessica may be responsible for killing Baron Harkonnen, potentially incorporating their familial connection and giving Jessica a more active role.

Dune: Part Two appears to have changed Alia Atreides' role, setting up a more satisfying finale for another major character. Ever since it was confirmed that Denis Villeneuve would adapt the second half of Frank Herbert's novel, questions about how he would handle Paul Atreides' younger sister arose. This was due to the stranger aspects of Alia, who is a young child mature beyond her years and aided by powers ed down from Lady Jessica's Bene Gesserit training. Her presence is substantial in the book, meaning Villeneuve would have to crack the problems with adapting her for Dune 2.

The expectation of seeing a completely book-faithful version of first description of Alia's role has seemingly surfaced, referring to "an embryo who advises her mother from the womb." That character description can only be a match for Alia Atreides, and it hints at a major book change that will help another character.

Dune 2 Making Alia Atreides An Embryo Means A Bigger Role For Lady Jessica

Based on the Dune 2 character description for Alia, a major revelation appears to have been revealed. Only referring to her as an embryo likely indicates that Alia is not born in Dune 2. This is a major departure from the book, as she is roughly two years old during the back half of the novel, making her one of the reminders of the time jump that occurs. If Lady Jessica does not give birth to Alia during the events of Dune 2, then that leaves the movie without a pivotal character whose actions heavily impact how the story unfolds.

Alia not being born in Dune 2 also means no major time jump can take place

It does not sound like Alia will be completely removed from the story, as the tease that she "advises her mother from the womb" shows how she will still influence the movie. However, instead of adding the young Atreides sister to the mix, it appears that Villeneuve changed the source material as a way to give Lady Jessica an even bigger role. She is now seemingly positioned to be the one who will carry out actions Alia suggests, giving Jessica a more active role in Dune 2. This is something Villeneuve has even teased before, saying:

Lady Jessica kind of disappears in the second part of the book, and I made sure as I was writing the screenplay to do the opposite, to make sure that she will be active, to bring her back to the front of the story.

The rest of the article contains potential spoilers for what could happen in Dune: Part Two based on what happens in the original book.

Dune 2 Removing Alia Could Mean Jessica Kills Baron Harkonnen

Dune 2's Alia Atreides change potentially means that Lady Jessica will be responsible for killing Baron Harkonnen. In Frank Herbert's book, Alia is captured and taken to see Emperor Shaddam and Baron Harkonnen. It is during this meeting that the young Atreides manages to poison the Harkonnen ruler with the gom jabbar. It is only shortly thereafter that it is confirmed that Alia Atreides killed Baron Harkonnen. The resolution to Baron's storyline will likely be similar in Dune 2, meaning Villeneuve will have to have someone other than Alia be responsible for killing him, such as Lady Jessica.

If Alia does have some influence over her mother, this could be how Dune 2 makes it possible for Lady Jessica to kill Baron Harkonnen. They could also both agree that this is the best option for the future of Arrakis and the galaxy. Or, Lady Jessica could make the decision to kill Baron all on her own. Regardless, she is the most natural choice for who could kill the Harkonnen, especially with the Alia connection. This would set up Jessica to have a more satisfying role to play in the conclusion of Dune 2 and deliver a late surprise.

Jessica Killing Baron Harkonnen Can Be How Dune 2 Incorporates Their Familial Connection

Villeneuve having Lady Jessica be the one to kill Baron Harkonnen would guarantee that Dune 2 brings the two powerful characters together for a pivotal scene. It could be through this confrontation that the sequel takes the opportunity to include their familial connection. In the book, Jessica is the daughter of Baron Harkonnen, but Dune does not reveal this information. That has left uncertainty about whether Dune 2 would reveal their relationship or if it would be left out as one of Villeneuve's book changes.

The thought of Dune 2 building to Lady Jessica and Baron Harkonnen provides the perfect way for the film to address their connection naturally. Baron and Jessica coming face-to-face after all this time would certainly bring some mention that they are father and daughter. Alia knows that she is related to the Harkonnens in the book, so the unborn child could even reveal this fact to her mother if she was previously unaware somehow. Jessica killing her father to protect her children and avenge Leto's death would make her Dune: Part Two ending all the more satisfying.