Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of the iconic Frank Herbert’s sci-fi novel Dune has established itself as a cinematic tour de force in the early 2020s. With the first part of Dune released in 2021, Villeneuve successfully portrayed half of Herbert’s novel, establishing the universe of Dune in mind-boggling detail, setting the stage for an epic narrative.
Dune: Part Two recently premiered in cinemas worldwide, bringing the captivating story to a close. Spanning almost five and a half hours, these two films stand as a definitive on-screen portrayal of Herbert’s epic tale. Despite telling a complete story within the span of two movies, discussions are already under way about a possible trilogy with the third movie slated to follow Herbert’s sequel novel, Dune Messiah. This sequel explores complex political dynamics quite different from the original, which may surprise audiences familiar with the first Dune film. One of the most significant developments in Dune Messiah is the return of Duncan Idaho, an essential character from the original story.
In both Herbert’s original work and Villeneuve’s adaptation, Duncan Idaho plays a major supporting role in the first half of the tale. Trusted by House Atreides, Duncan is regarded as one of the best warriors in the galaxy. His death in a surprise attack in the first movie is significant as it marks one of the initial encounters with death for Paul Atreides, the protagonist. The loss of Duncan Idaho reverberates throughout the universe, representing a major setback for many of the powerful houses.
In Dune Messiah, Duncan Idaho beats the odds and returns to the story, despite his definitive death in the first part of Dune. This miraculous return is masterminded within the first few chapters of the sequel by the enigmatic organization known as the Bene Tleilax. The shapeshifting face dancers of Bene Tleilax rescue Duncan’s body from the Imperial Sarduarkar and bring him back to life as a clone, or “ghola”. In the eyes of the universe, Duncan lives, but he is not quite the same. Stripped of his memories and renamed “Hayt”, he is now a super-intelligent Mentat, groomed to assassinate Paul Atreides on behalf of the Tleilaxu. This compelling subplot forms a critical part of Dune Messiah, raising several important thematic questions.
Given Villeneuve’s dedication to faithfully representing Herbert’s original work, it is likely that Jason Momoa, who plays Duncan Idaho in the first Dune film, will reprise his role in the third film adaptation. Including the Duncan Idaho storyline in Denis Villeneuve’s third Dune movie would not only honour Herbert’s vision but also add another major star to the stellar cast. Momoa’s expanded role in the story could add another layer of depth to the epic narrative.
Furthermore, with the potential of Dune expanding into a long-running franchise, this could present a golden opportunity for Momoa. Not only does Duncan Idaho have a substantial role in Dune Messiah, but he also remains a key character in subsequent sequels.
