Denis Villeneuve Reveals Reason Behind One Missing Character from First Movie in Dune 2: “It’s a character that I absolutely adore”
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two is all set to hit the theatres on March 1, 2024. The sci-fi adventure is one of the most anticipated projects of 2024. With a stellar cast and the kind of buzz Dune: Part Two has created ever since it went into production, the Timothee Chalamet-led project is bound to make an influential impact at the box office.
During a recent interview with an entertainment outlet, filmmaker Denis Villeneuve spoke about one of the most significant characters who is missing from the second chapter of Dune.
Denis Villeneuve Clarifies The Reason Behind The Missing Character Of Thufir Hawat In Dune: Part Two
The role of Thufir Hawat played by actor Stephen McKinley Henderson, is one of the favourite characters of filmmaker Denis Villeneuve in the Dune franchise. During an interview with ScreenRush, the Canadian filmmaker revealed why the character of Thufir Hawat was not included in the second chapter of Dune. The Arrival director mentioned-
I was in love with Thufir Hawat [played in Dune: Part One by Stephen McKinley Henderson]. It’s a character that I absolutely adore. But I had to make the bold choice to make a Bene Gesserit adaptation, and to focus the movie on that sisterhood. I wish there was more Thufir Hawat. That’s what I would say.
The 74-year-old American actor Stephen McKinley Henderson was introduced to the Denis Villeneuve-led fantasy drama in 2021. He played the character of a Mentat of House Atreides, Thufir Hawat. He was an advisor to Duke Leto Atreides played by Oscar Issac. Mentats are almost like human computers in the world of Dune. As reported by ScreenRant, Henderson returned for the second chapter of Dune, but Thufir Hawat’s scenes were not incorporated in the final cut. Dune: Part Two features new faces including Florence Pugh, Souheila Yacoub, Austin Butler, Christopher Walken, and Léa Seydoux.
Denis Villeneuve Talks About The Third Chapter Of Dune
As Dune: Part Two is all ready to witness its theatrical release, Denis Villeneuve came up with an important update on the third installment of the sci-fi fantasy drama. During a conversation with Screenrush recently, the Blade Runner 2049 filmmaker spoke about the final chapter of Dune. While talking about Dune: Messiah, Denis Villeneuve said-
My initial intentions were always to make two films of the first book. That took six years of my life. And it’s a blessing. I’m grateful I had the chance to do that. Those movies required a tremendous amount of time and energy. I have other stories that I would love to tell. I was not planning to spend decades on Arrakis.
He even hinted towards being in the middle of completing the screenplay of Dune: Messiah. He mentioned-
I think that it absolutely makes sense to do an adaptation of Dune Messiah. When the screenplay is finished, then we’ll see. For now, the screenplay is not finished. And I don’t know how long it will take to finish it.
Denis Villeneuve continued to say-
I have other projects. I’m just out of Part Two. I need to present Part Two to the world, digest, sleep a little, go back in the snow, think, and dream a bit to know what’s next. And what will be next will be the first screenplay that’s ready on my table. Right now, none of them are ready. And that’s a healthy spot to be in. I will not jump behind a camera right away. I need a tiny bit of time to rest before going back to Arrakis.
As mentioned by Villeneuve, he has no plans to rush Dune: Messiah. He believes in giving more emphasis on crafting a phenomenal final chapter. The colossal success of the 2021 released Dune, paved the path for the second chapter of Dune.
