6 Characters Who Could Appear In Dune 3 Despite Not Being In The Book

Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming Dune: Part Three may not fully adapt Frank Herbert’s sequel book, Dune Messiah, upon which the movie is based. This raises some interesting questions about the changes that Villeneuve is planning on making to the story, potentially drawing inspiration from different books in the franchise instead.

It’s known that Villeneuve will stay true to the core of the second novel, with Paul Atreides, Chani, Princess Irulan, Alia Atreides, and Hayt (the ghola of Duncan Idaho) all confirmed to appear, alongside the introduction of Paul and Chani’s children, Leto II and Ghanima. There’s even been casting news of Robert Pattinson playing Scytale, a character from Dune Messiah.

There are several other characters from the world of Dune that could make surprise appearances in Dune 3 despite not appearing in Dune Messiah. Herbert typically does a great job of introducing new faces in each pᴀssing sequel, but this often comes at the expense of leaving fan-favorite characters behind. It already seems like Villeneuve is trying to avoid this common criticism.

Gurney Halleck

It’s already been confirmed that Josh Brolin will return as Gurney Halleck in Dune: Part Three, seemingly lending credence to the theory that Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming sequel won’t be a traditional adaptation of Dune Messiah. Gurney never physically appears in that book, as he returns to Caladan with Lady Jessica while Paul and the rest of House Atreides remain on Arrakis.

There’s been no comment about how large Gurney’s new role in Dune 3 will be, but the most likely explanation is that he’ll remain on Arrakis with Paul in this timeline. That’s where the majority of the action takes place in the book, and there would be no clear reason for Villeneuve to spend any time on Caladan.

The first two Dune movies really leaned into the respectful dynamic between Paul and Gurney, so it makes sense that Dune 3 would bring Brolin back to develop this relationship even further. Paul doesn’t have too many allies in Dune Messiah, so Gurney could prove to be a strong addition to his court.

Shaddam Corrino IV

Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV in Dune: Part Two. — Christopher Walken as The Emperor in Dune Part Two

While there’s been no indication that Christopher Walken has been contacted to reprise his role as the exiled Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV in Dune: Part Three, it would make a lot of narrative sense for him to appear again. In the books, Shaddam is exiled to his homeworld of Salusa Secundus following House Corrino’s defeat at the end of Dune: Part Two.

Though Shaddam isn’t mentioned again for a long while in the Dune book series, his presence in the upcoming movie would be truly valuable. He serves as an illuminating contrast to Paul’s tenure as Emperor of the Known Universe, and his relationship with Irulan adds new depth to an otherwise two-dimensional character arc.

Irulan’s role in the Dune books is often criticized for not having enough agency and autonomy, and much of this comes down to the fact that she’s often merely presented as “Paul’s wife”. Bringing Shaddam back would be an interesting way of leaning on Irulan’s imperial lineage and reminding audiences just how politically powerful she can be.

Baron Harkonnen

Following his death at the hands of Paul Atreides during the Battle of Arrakis, the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen unsurprisingly doesn’t return for the events of Dune Messiah. He’s one of the few Dune characters who stays truly ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, and the Harkonnens largely become fairly unimportant following their defeat in the first book. Instead, Paul’s biggest enemies are those lurking in the shadows.

However, Baron Harkonnen does return in Children of Dune, the third novel in Frank Herbert’s series. Following Alia Atreides’ transformation into the “Abomination”, his spirit takes over her mind and almost possesses her to sabotage House Atreides’ imperial rule. There have been some compelling theories that Villeneuve will fold aspects of Children of Dune into Dune: Part Three, and this particular subplot would be a great candidate.

Alia Atreides doesn’t have much to do in Dune Messiah, as the majority of her storyline is overshadowed by her romance with Hayt. Introducing this conflict with the Baron one book in advance seems like an effective way of increasing her role in the story, giving her a clear purpose beyond being the object of Hayt’s affections.

Princess Wensicia

Wensicia smiling and wearing a crown in Children of Dune

Princess Wensicia Corrino is one of the best characters from Children of Dune, and it could be very beneficial to introduce her slightly earlier in the movie’s timeline. She’s the younger sister of Princess Irulan and remains on Salusa Secundus during Paul’s time as Emperor to raise her son, Prince Farad’n.

Much of Dune Messiah centers around a conspiracy between the Bene Gesserit, the Bene Tleilaxu, and the Spacing Guild to dethrone Emperor Paul and place somebody more responsible upon the Lion Throne. Coincidentally, Wensicia’s storyline in Children of Dune also centers around a secret plot to dethrone House Atreides. The upcoming movie could save some time and blend both subplots together.

It would also be fascinating to see Irulan and Wensicia interact with each other, which barely happens at all in Frank Herbert’s books. The sisters have very different personalities and clashing political ideologies, but they spend the majority of their time on different planets. Dune: Part Three could finally bring them together and add some much-needed depth to Irulan’s conspiracy against her husband.

Farad’n Corrino

Farad’n walking in a room full of people in Children of dune

If Princess Wensicia is being introduced in Dune: Part Three, it logically follows that Prince Farad’n would also make an appearance. He’s the male heir to House Corrino, and if it weren’t for Paul’s conquest of the Great Houses, he would be next in line to the Imperium. This subplot of jealousy and revenge could be just another way of building the tension among the conspirators in Dune 3.

Although Farad’n isn’t introduced until Children of Dune in the books, it’s clear that Denis Villeneuve isn’t going to be sticking too fiercely to this timeline. There’s plenty of room to move these narrative beats around. Dune 3 also needs to clearly set up the future of this franchise in case Warner Bros. decides to make more sequels in the future.

Additionally, it’s been confirmed that Paul’s children, Leto II and Ghanima, will make an appearance in Dune 3 as young adults. In the book, they only appear briefly as newborn children. This proves that Villeneuve is shifting the timeline somewhat, and Leto and Ghanima’s storyline needs Farad’n to serve as their imperial counterpart.

Lady Jessica

While it hasn’t been confirmed that Rebecca Ferguson will be reprising her role in Dune 3, it seems extremely likely given Villeneuve’s willingness to bend the source material slightly. Throughout Dune Messiah, Lady Jessica spends the majority of the story on Caladan with Gurney. But since Gurney is confirmed to be appearing in Dune 3, it makes sense that Jessica will too.

The Bene Gesserit play a huge role in Dune Messiah, as they’re heavily involved in the secret conspiracy to ᴀssᴀssinate Paul Atreides. Jessica has been the Dune movies’ anchor to the Bene Gesserit since the very start, as she’s one of the only members that audiences really get to know. Having her in Dune 3 would make this storyline a lot more accessible.

The ending of Dune 2 already teased Jessica’s defection from the Bene Gesserit through her interactions with Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohaim, so it would be a huge missed opportunity if Dune: Part Three didn’t pay off this subplot by having Jessica on Arrakis when the Bene Gesserit are trying to kill him. This could finally conclude Jessica’s story in a poignant and tragic way.