"Dune II": Austin Butler Unveils His Transformation as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen



by FARUK IMAMOVIC

"Dune II": Austin Butler Unveils His Transformation as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen
"Dune II": Austin Butler Unveils His Transformation as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen

Austin Butler, who was recently nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in "Elvis," has undergone a significant transformation to play the role of the villain Feyd-Rautha in the highly-anticipated sequel to the movie "Dune." Alongside him are new cast members Florence Pugh and Christopher Walken.

The Evil Nephew of Baron Harkonnen

Feyd-Rautha, the evil nephew of Baron Harkonnen (played by Stellan Skarsgård), was previously portrayed by Sting in David Lynch's 1984 film adaptation of "Dune." In the new installment, he is set to compete against his brother Glossu Rabban (played by Dave Bautista) for the position of the heir to the Harkonnen family on the planet Arrakis.

The latest trailer reveals Austin Butler's new look as Feyd-Rautha, with a shaved head, and offers a glimpse of Florence Pugh's portrayal of Princess Irulan. According to director Denis Villeneuve, "Her stake could not be higher because she’s afraid that her father could lose the throne, could lose everything...She has something inherently royal about her."

A Machiavellian Prince

Described by Villeneuve as "someone Machiavellian, much more cruel, much more strategic, and is more narcissistic," Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is a lethal and cunning prince of the Harkonnen family.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Bautista shared that Butler lost his "Elvis" voice to fully immerse himself in the role of Feyd-Rautha. The filmmaker also added that while Rabban may be a bad strategist, "He's not very intelligent...he doesn't have the brain to be able to manage and control all these operations." Meanwhile, Feyd-Rautha is depicted as a "very clever, very charismatic figure, and much more brilliant." "Dune II" is set to hit theaters on November 3, offering audiences a new chapter in the epic science fiction story.

With a talented cast and a visionary director, the film is sure to be a cinematic spectacle that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

Austin Butler