One Of Dune: Part Two's Creepier Moments Was Improvised By Austin Butler
06-03-2024
Denis Villeneuve’s latest hit "Dune: Part Two," sees a new villain emerge that was not seen in "Dune: Part One." The evil Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, played by Stellan Skarsgard, who has lost all faith in Rabban's (Dave Bautista), and his abilities to eliminate the Fremen from Arrakis turns to Feyd Rautha, his aggressive, sociopathic nephew, Austin Butler, a man without remorse or conscience. Feyd is described in "Dune: Part Two", with Bene Gesserit Witches stating that only sexuality and flattery can control him. Feyd's violent walking id character is the focus of the second part, which culminates with a fight between Feyd and Paul Atreaides, the Messianic Paul (Timothee Chalamet).
David Lynch's 1984 adaptation of "Dune", in which Sting played Feyd (the character), is famous for a scene during which Sting emerged from an odd, sci-fi, steam bath, wearing only leather bikinis with strange hip wings. The Baron, Kenneth McMillan, looks with incestuous passion at his nephew during that scene. Lynch's version shows that the Baron not only has faith in Feyd for his ruthlessness, but also favors him sexually.
The incest aspect is completely removed from Villeneuve's "Dune: Part Two". The baron has no male concubines, but only female ones, and Feyd's affection is pure political.
... Feyd does kiss the Baron in one scene. Feyd, who had become powerful, parted from his uncle late in the movie, after he'd risen. But not before giving him a kiss on the mouth. It seems that this wasn't part of the Villeneueve & Jon Spaihts script. Butler improvised that moment. The "Elvis' actor was grateful that Skarsgard agreed to the moment in a red carpet interview with Access Hollywood.
"He's up for anything"
Feyd, in "Dune: Part Two," looks up to his villainous uncle as an inspiration. He even imitates him. Butler's voice and cadence resembled Skarsgard. In Villeneuve's view, Feyd could be the one incestuously drawn to the Baron. At the very least in his ability to exercise power.
Emily Orozco of Access Hollywood asked Butler for clarification on a scene in which the actor kissed Skarsgard. She had just discovered that the kiss was an improvised one. Butler responded modestly by saying "[The kiss] between Stellan Skarsgard and Butler? Oh, yeah! "He's up for anything." "He's the best."
Skarsgard has appeared in many of Lars Von Trier’s films, such as "Breaking the Waves", "Dogville", "Melancholia", and "Nymphomaniac." He is not likely to be easily surprised, and he may even resist a sudden kiss. If you look closely, it's clear that Skarsgard also kissed Butler. He simply rolled with the punches.
Orozco wanted to know if Butler liked to surprise his co-stars. Butler responded in an actorly manner, saying, "It is always about the effect you want to have on someone else." Butler was probably not thinking of being provocative, but rather getting into character. It seemed as if Feyd was the one who would have done it. Butler's intention to surprise Skarsgard is even more unlikely, given that he likely knows the extent of his acting career.
Frank Herbert's "Dune Messiah" sequel does not feature Feyd or the Baron. In one of Herbert’s sequels "Children on Dune", Baron Harkonnen appears to have the consciousness of her granddaughter. The Baron could return.
Feyd and the Dune Universe
Villeneuve has expressed his interest in directing a movie adaptation of the book "Dune Messiah" but no official word is yet available. Many fans would not be offended if Villeneuve decided to devote his entire career to "Dune," much like James Cameron, who has stated that he will only make sequels to "Avatar." Herbert wrote six novels titled "Dune" between 1965 and 1985. This provided Villeneuve enough material to make up to 10 more films.
Villeneuve could, should he so desire, then begin making multiple films adaptations of "Dune's" prequel novel written by Herbert’s son Brian Herbert, and veteran sci-fi author Keving J. Anderson, beginning in 1999. Feyd Rautha is a major character in these novels. Readers get to learn the story of her birth. Feyd’s parents and Bene Gesserit’s manipulation provide a lot of intrigue in the story. If Villeneuve or another filmmaker decides to bring the Brian Herbert/Anderson novels to life on the screen, Feyd will have to be portrayed by a child. Austin Butler will likely be out of the picture.
The "Dune Series" has 17 titles, the latest of which, "The Heir of Caladan", (the final part of the trilogy set in Caladan), was published by the end of the year 2022.
As of now, "Dune: Prophecy" is a TV show based on the 2012 book "The Sisterhood of Dune," written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. Villeneuve is producing the upcoming series, which will be set 10,000 years prior to "Dune: Part One."