Warning: This post contains major spoilers for Dune: Part Two and Dune Messiah
Summary
- Paul ascends to power at the end of Dune 2, setting up a holy war and power struggle in Dune 3.
- Paul's visions foreshadow water returning to Arrakis in Dune 3.
- Alia's importance and Chani's fate are key elements leading into Dune Messiah.
Dune: Part Two includes a lot of setup for what’s to come in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Messiah adaptation, which would be based on the second book by Frank Herbert. Villeneuve has spoken about a third Dune film and how he doesn’t want to rush through making it, though it has yet to be officially confirmed. Still, the possibility is high if glowing critical reviews are any indication.
Dune: Part Two’s ending saw Paul heading to the south of Arrakis, where he rallied the Fremen in the fight against Baron Harkonnen, Emperor Shaddam IV, and the Great Houses. After drinking the Water of Life, Paul’s vision of the future was clear, but rather than lead the Fremen against the emperor, he was taking the power for himself. The film’s ending sets up multiple storylines that take place in Dune Messiah, including Paul’s vision for Arrakis’ future, as well as the significance of his little sister Alia, who is still in the womb in Dune 2.
12 Biggest Dune 2 Book Changes From Denis Villeneuve's Sequel
Dune: Part Two adapts the second part of Frank Herbert's novel, and Denis Villeneuve's sequel changes the Dune book story and characters many times.
Paul's Ascension To Emperor & Holy War Set Up Dune 3's Story
The Great Houses are not accepting of Paul’s ascension, but the Muad’Dib is willing to fight back against them.
At the end of Dune: Part Two, Paul rises to power with the help of the Fremen, who are now fighting for him against Emperor Shaddam IV and the Great Houses. However, the Great Houses are not accepting of Paul’s ascension, but the Muad’Dib is willing to fight back against them. And while Dune 2 doesn’t show the full extent of what the battle against the Great Houses will look like, Paul and the Fremen will win against them because Paul will be the emperor in Dune Messiah.
The Dune sequel’s ending alludes to the holy war that will occur in Dune 3, and the pushback Paul receives at first suggests he will eventually be overthrown as emperor in the next film. There are a lot of visions Paul sees throughout Dune 2, and many of them involve the oncoming war that will be waged, with him positioned as the messiah. And while the Great Houses might have to submit to Paul, their displeasure with his power would cause tension that would affect the holy war.
Dune: Part Two's ending is only the beginning of the holy war that will play out, all according to plan.
Paul's Visions Of The Future Tease Arrakis' Future
Paul’s visions in Dune 2 are visceral, and though they come in spurts, they showcase the future of Arrakis. His visions suggest that water will flow again on the planet, the sea returning to Arrakis, and that the holy war that is coming will also cause billions of deaths in his name. Parts of Paul’s visions have already come true, including his mother Lady Jessica leading him to the south of Arrakis and his duel with Feyd-Rautha.
Anya Taylor-Joy's Alia Casting Is Important For Dune Messiah
Her appearance, though brief, in Dune: Part Two is not a coincidence and suggests she will be a focal point in the third film.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s Alia casting was very hush-hush until right before Dune 2’s release, but her character, Alia, will play a crucial role in Dune Messiah. Her appearance, though brief, in Dune: Part Two is not a coincidence and suggests she will be a focal point in the third film. With Taylor-Joy’s casting, it’s likely Dune 3 will have a time jump that will see her as the adult from Paul’s vision. Alia is a central figure in Herbert’s second book, and her inclusion in Dune 2 sets up her relationship with Paul and her abilities via the Water of Life.
Dune 2 Sets Up Paul's Complex Relationship With Chani & Irulan
Chani was angry after Paul announced he would take Princess Irulan as his wife, strengthening his political ties and legitimizing his ascension to emperor. The ending of Dune: Part Two showcases that Paul still loves Chani, but his relationship with Irulan will complicate things between the lovers. Chani leaves at the end of the film, leaving Paul to ultimately marry Irulan.
Paul's relationships with Irulan and Chani are complex, creating a sort of love triangle between them that creates tension.
In the Dune Messiah book, Paul is only married to Irulan out of obligation, and remains loyal to Chani. Paul's relationships with Irulan and Chani are complex, creating a sort of love triangle between them that creates tension. With Irulan still working with the Bene Gesserit in Dune 3, this time to ensure Paul and Chani don’t have a child who will go on to be heir, Dune 2 showcases the already palpable tension between the trio, which will only continue in the next installment.
Dune 2 Foreshadows Chani's Fate In Dune Messiah
Paul Atreides sees a vision of Chani dying. Although the circumstances surrounding her death are unclear, his vision foreshadows her fate in Dune Messiah. Chani does ultimately die, and Paul has a vision of it, too. However, Chani’s death will likely not happen the same way in Dune 3 as it does in the book. In Herbert’s work, Chani dies during childbirth while delivering her and Paul’s twins — a boy, Leto Atreides II, and a girl, Ghanima. Regardless of how her death occurs, though, it seems Chani is destined to meet the same fate as her book counterpart.
Dune 2 Sets Up The Bene Gesserit As Major Political Players In Dune 3
The Bene Gesserit have their hand in just about everything.
Dune revealed the Bene Gesserit’s power, and Dune: Part Two solidified them even further as a force to be reckoned with. Between commanding Lady Margot Fenring to seduce Feyd-Rautha to secure his bloodline and Paul learning that Baron Vladimir Harkonnen was his maternal grandfather, the Bene Gesserit have their hand in just about everything. Their influence will surely continue in Dune 3, which, in the book, sees them attempting to maintain the Atreides bloodline. The Bene Gesserit are formidable, and their maneuvers will continue to center them as ruthless political players for years to come.
Dune 2 Reveals One Potential Change To Chani & Paul’s Relationship
Chani felt betrayed by Paul’s decision to marry Irulan, especially since it’s one he didn’t bother discussing with her.
Paul and Chani maintain a romantic relationship in Dune Messiah, with Chani, as Paul’s concubine, understanding the political reasoning behind his marriage to Princess Irulan. But after Chani leaves Paul and the Fremen behind at the end of Dune 2, it’s unclear if their relationship will ever be the same again. Chani felt betrayed by Paul’s decision to marry Irulan, especially since it’s one he didn’t bother discussing with her.
It’s possible Paul will try to explain himself to her, but the damage is done. What’s more, Chani doesn’t like the path Paul is walking, and is angry that he drank the Water of Life. Even before Paul announced his marriage to Irulan, things were tense between him and Chani. With the trust broken between them, Villeneuve’s Dune 3 could throw a permanent wrench in their relationship, changing it from the books.
Dune 2’s Alia Tease Hints At The Return Of Duncan Idaho
Alia’s arrival is heavily teased throughout Dune 2. With the likelihood she’ll play an important role in Dune Messiah, Alia’s involvement could also mean the return of Jason Momoa’s Duncan Idaho. In Herbert’s book, the Bene Tleilax, a genetically altered group, created an artificial Duncan, called ghola, in an attempt to kill Paul Atreides. This version of Duncan Idaho, who went by the name Hayt, ends up falling in love with Alia.
With so many conspiring to get rid of Paul in Dune Messiah, it makes sense that Duncan would return in an attempt to do exactly that.
Duncan wasn’t in Dune 2, but the fact that Alia could play an integral role means ghola Duncan could her. With so many conspiring to get rid of Paul in Dune Messiah, it makes sense that Duncan would return in an attempt to do exactly that. The character’s return would also create an interesting dynamic between him and Alia, elevating the tension between him and House Atreides while setting him on his own journey. Plus, Duncan’s return would be welcome after his untimely death in Dune.
Dune: Part Two
- Release Date
- February 27, 2024
- Runtime
- 167 minutes
- Director
- Denis Villeneuve
Cast
Paul Atreides
Chani
WHERE TO WATCH
Dune: Part Two continues the epic saga of Paul Atreides as he allies with Chani and the Fremen. Pursuing retribution for his family's devastation, Paul grapples with a significant decision impacting his personal desires and the universe's future, attempting to avert a dire destiny that only he anticipates.
- Writers
- Denis Villeneuve
- Sequel(s)
- Dune: Part Three
- Franchise(s)
- Dune
- Studio(s)
- Legendary Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures
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