Robert Pattinson may be joining Dune 3, and his addition to the cast would continue my favorite casting trend from the franchise. On April 8, news broke that Pattinson is being eyed to join the upcoming third Dune film. His casting hasn’t been confirmed yet, but many rumors suggest the Batman actor could play Scytale, a villain from the novel Dune: Messiah. The actor is currently gearing up to film The Batman 2 and is coming off of his starring role in Mickey 17.

Since Twilight, Pattinson has become one of the most interesting actors in Hollywood. He’s starred in major films like The Batman and Tenet, but has also shined in smaller movies, like The Lighthouse and Good Time. He also has a role in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, releasing in 2026. Pattinson is a perfect fit for Dune, and it would also continue a promising trend for the franchise.

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Movies Have Become The Franchise For Hollywood’s Younger Stars

The Industry’s Next Generation Gets An Excellent Spotlight Here

The first Dune already had a stacked cast that included Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin, Zendaya, and Oscar Isaac. That A-list roster expanded in the second film with Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Christopher Walken, and Anya Taylor-Joy. It’s a fantastic mix of Hollywood legends and modern stars. On the latter point specifically, Chalamet, Butler, Pugh, Zendaya, and Taylor-Joy are among the industry’s biggest young stars. The five of them have four Academy Award nominations combined, in addition to prominent roles in blockbuster films and acclaimed TV shows.

While Taylor-Joy only had a small role in Dune: Part Two, her role should be expanded as her character has a more prominent role in the follow-up novel, Messiah. Pattinson, 38, is older than these young stars, but he still falls into this range as an accomplished actor who has a long and exciting career ahead of him. He’d fit perfectly among the other young stars who delivered excellent performances in Denis Villeneuve’s films.

Robert Pattinson Makes The Dune 3 Ensemble Cast Even More Stacked

This Even Goes Beyond The Younger Stars

The full cast for Dune 3 hasn’t been confirmed yet, but based on who’s still living within the franchise, the cast could include Chalamet, Zendaya, Ferguson, Pugh, Brolin, Taylor-Joy, and Javier Bardem. It’s also been confirmed that Momoa is returning as Duncan Idaho. While Idaho died in the first film, he does have a significant role in the Dune: Messiah novel. This is already an incredibly star-studded cast, and Pattinson would make it even more loaded.

Pattinson’s first major role was as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. However, he became a superstar thanks to his role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight franchise. While perhaps not as critically acclaimed, the movies were wildly successful and launched the careers of Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Since then, he has expanded his filmography considerably, proving he is more than just a good-looking vampire. He can prove that once again in Dune 3 by giving another memorable performance, perhaps similar to his recent turn in Mickey 17.

Dune 3 Can Help Elevate Robert Pattinson & His Co-Stars To New Heights

With Meaty Roles, They Can All Give Standout Performances

It’s hard to imagine that these actors could become more famous than they already are. Chalamet is a major star known for films like Wonka and A Complete Unknown, Pugh just had a starring role in the MCU’s Thunderbolts*, and Zendaya has achieved stardom through HBO’s Euphoria and her role as MJ in the MCU’s Spider-Man movies. Taylor-Joy has also become a star thanks to films like Furiosa, and Pattinson has long been a household name.

However, the Dune franchise is incredibly popular and continues to grow its audience. Chalamet received a boost to his profile for playing Paul Atreides, and the same could be said for Butler and Zendaya for their respective roles. If actors like Pugh and Taylor-Joy receive expanded roles, they could also see a boost in their popularity. If Pattinson plays this rumored villain in Dune 3 and the film is a mᴀssive success, he could achieve a new level of stardom along with his fellow cast members.