Dune: Messiah Needs to Include This Character Return (And Cut Out One Creepy Moment)

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2024 saw the release of Dune: Part Two, a blockbuster film that concluded the initial storyline masterfully and paved the way for Dune: Messiah. As of now, production on the third film may not commence until late 2025 or early 2026. Since Denis Villeneuve’s announcement, details regarding casting have remained scarce. While fans can guess who might reappear in the sequel based on hints in the story, only readers familiar with Frank Herbert’s book series are privy to the identities of new characters that will be introduced.

The tale of “Dune: Messiah,” drawn from the second novel, finds Paul Atreides as Emperor, grappling with the challenges of leadership and the intricate outcomes of his decisions. However, there are unexpected twists on the horizon, such as Duncan Idaho. This character met his end in the initial Dune film, but could he potentially resurface? Given that Villeneuve is an ardent enthusiast of the entire saga and has remained faithful to the source material thus far, it’s plausible that viewers will witness Jason Momoa reprise the role.

Warning: Spoilers below for the Dune: Messiah novel!

Why Duncan Idaho’s Return Is Important in Dune: Messiah

In the novel “Dune,” it’s evident that Duncan has held a significant role in Paul’s life since he was young. Beyond being a devoted soldier for House Atreides, he served as both a mentor and confidant to Paul, someone upon whom the future leader heavily depended. To appreciate Duncan’s importance beyond his connection with the protagonist, one can also consider his involvement with the Fremen. He played a vital part in establishing the alliance between the Atreides and the inhabitants of Arrakis. When Paul and Jessica are compelled to escape due to the Harkonnens’ attack, it’s Duncan who lends them aid, showcasing his unwavering loyalty to the Atreides family. This loyalty motivates him to shield Paul and Jessica when their refuge is attacked. In the end, he gives up his life to secure their safety.

In the first film, his character has a limited appearance, yet it sets up his expanded role in later books, notably “Dune: Messiah,” where he’s brought back to life as a ghola. The face dancer, a race initially introduced in the second book and connected to the Tleilaxu, is skillfully adapted for the screen in “Dune: Prophecy.” Like the gholas, face dancers are creations of this secretive society known for genetic manipulation. Their main objective is to create beings for their own purposes, often related to power and control, and it’s through these actions that Duncan’s resurrection becomes relevant.

In the second installment of the series, a character is resurrected as a ghola – essentially a memory-less clone. At first, he’s employed as a spy in a plot against Paul, who has become a perceived danger to the Tleilaxu’s dominion over the cosmos. However, it’s revealed that Duncan, the ghola, is programmed to eliminate Paul if his former memories resurface. The Tleilaxu believe that if the ghola recovers his past, he would recall his allegiance to House Atreides and reject his mission. This intricate situation presents an engaging quandary, making one ponder whether a ghola can genuinely retain the essence of their previous self.

In addition, the resurrection of his memories plays a vital role in the storyline, as he grapples with reconciling his ties to the Atreides family with the commands received from the Tleilaxu. Introducing him back into the narrative not only maintains fidelity to the source material but also offers a means to continue a tale brimming with personal dilemmas and moral quandaries, which enrich both the character development and overall storyline. This guarantees a pertinent plotline, given that Duncan’s choices will have a substantial influence on Paul’s destiny and the empire’s future.

In this perspective, his transformation into a ghola doesn’t just broaden the storyline but also stirs up fresh disputes, disclosures, and plot advancement. Yet, there’s an element of Duncan Idaho’s new adventure that Dune enthusiasts may find less appealing: Alia Atreides.

The Romance Between Duncan and Alia Shouldn’t Take Center Stage in Dune: Messiah

In the conclusion of Dune: Part Two, it was hinted that the upcoming third movie will delve deeper into Paul’s life as Emperor and his romantic entanglements, primarily his relationship with Chani, creating a love triangle involving Princess Irulan who is to be married to him. Although the Dune saga encompasses various themes, romance has traditionally not been its primary focus. Director Villeneuve has stated that Messiah will emphasize some of these romantic aspects given Paul’s central role. Nonetheless, exploring the romantic relationships of secondary characters such as Duncan, which might involve him falling in love with Alia while she is still a girl, may not be something audiences are eager to witness according to the original novel.

In the upcoming film “Dune: Part Two”, Paul’s sister experiences an extraordinarily rapid evolution during Jessica’s pregnancy. This transformation is triggered by her participation in the Bene Gesserit ritual, known as the Water of Life. The influences from her ancestors’ memories and consciousness are transferred to her while she’s still in the womb, turning her into a child prodigy with a wealth of knowledge. Despite the time jump in the sequel that might age Paul’s sister significantly (with Anya Taylor-Joy cast for the role), it’s important to remember she is still a teenager, exhibiting emotions and thoughts that don’t always align with her premature mental maturity. This could create an unsettling or awkward romantic dynamic between her and the ghola in the eyes of the audience.

As a movie buff, I must say that delving too deeply into Alia’s romantic relationship could distract from the intense psychological struggle she encounters due to her multiple inner consciousnesses, as depicted in ‘Messiah’. This aspect is only just beginning to unfold and will be further explored in ‘Children of Dune’. However, Villeneuve has hinted that his work in this universe might conclude with the next film. If a fourth installment materializes, it could provide an ideal moment for Alia’s character to grow alongside Duncan. But for now, I believe her journey should continue on its current path.

Still, let’s keep in mind that nothing has been officially confirmed yet. In an interview with Men’s Health last year, Momoa didn’t provide a definitive answer about rejoining the franchise, instead hinting he might face consequences if he spoke about it. However, it seems quite probable that he will return, given Duncan’s significant role in the overall storyline as fans anticipate his importance in the saga.

Dune: Messiah is currently without an official release date.

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2025-01-13 07:11