Dune: Part Three is set to be the final entry in Denis Villeneuve’s cinematic adaptation of Frank Herbert’s monumental sci-fi series, based on the events of his second book, Dune Messiah. The story follows Emperor Paul Atreides many years after sending the Fremen on a so-called “holy war” throughout the universe, as he’s forced to deal with secrecy and betrayal from his closest allies. The story of Dune Messiah is largely controversial, with the large time jump and excessive focus on politics leading some critics to dislike this entry.
The time jump between Dune 2 and Dune 3 means that several new characters and fresh storylines will be introduced in Villeneuve’s final sequel, but it also means that many of the existing relationships could have changed dramatically by the time Messiah picks up. This is particularly relevant in the case of Paul and Chani, whose relationship has already taken a hugely different trajectory in Villeneuve’s movies than in Herbert’s novels.
Villeneuve’s Dramatically Changed Paul & Chani’s Relationship In Dune 2
The Two Characters Are No Longer Together At The End Of Dune 2
Villeneuve made some huge changes in Dune: Part 2 that fundamentally went against Herbert’s source material, but the most obvious alteration was the dynamic between Paul and Chani. In the book, Chani is much more willing to go along with Paul’s delusions of grandeur because she knows it’s the only way for the Fremen people to survive and spread across the galaxy. She may be skeptical of his methods, but she loves him unconditionally and never lets this come between them. In the movie, this dynamic is changed entirely.
By the end of Dune: Part 2, Chani has grown fully disillusioned by Paul’s power and leaves him altogether, riding away into the plains of Arrakis on a sandworm. This change was met with mixed reactions upon release, but most audiences can generally agree that it gives Chani much more agency over her own destiny and transforms her into a more complex, three-dimensional character. She’s no longer the doting concubine who suffers through Paul’s political games to live a peaceful life. Instead, Chani forgoes that privilege when she leaves Paul behind.
The love triangle between Chani, Paul, and Irulan is one of the principal ideas in Herbert’s text, and this no longer lines up with Villeneuve’s movies at all.
This is a fascinating change that’s going to have mᴀssive consequences on the story of Dune Messiah. The love triangle between Chani, Paul, and Irulan is one of the principal ideas in Herbert’s text, and this no longer lines up with Villeneuve’s movies at all. Unless Chani somehow returns to Paul during the off-screen time jump, the director is going to have to make some major changes to the third movie’s story because of this important character decision.
Dune: Part Three Can Make The Book’s Love Triangle More Interesting
There’s More Complexity To Paul, Chani, and Irulan’s Dynamic
Dune Messiah was notoriously panned upon the book’s release in 1969, and many critics cited the love triangle as the story’s weakest aspect. Consensus has shifted strongly on this question over the years, with modern readers recognizing the rich subtext that it brings regarding Paul’s inner turmoil about choosing duty over personal desires. The question ultimately comes down to his lineage; he’s pressured to have an heir with Princess Irulan to secure his imperial line, but he wants to have children with Chani because she’s the woman he loves and that would secure the loyalty of the Fremen.
Chani’s departure at the end of Dune 2 makes this much more complicated. In the book, Paul could essentially have either option; both Chani and Irulan were fighting for his affections, and both wanted to raise his children. With Chani seemingly disillusioned with Paul’s politics, it seems increasingly unlikely that she’d want to mother his heir. This could push Paul further towards Irulan, hopefully giving Florence Pugh’s antagonist a much larger and well-rounded role than she has in the book.
Villeneuve’s Changes Make Chani A More Compelling Character
Chani Has More Independence In Villeneuve’s Version
Although Villeneuve’s decision to essentially split up Paul and Chani at the end of Dune 2 was understandably met with criticism, it actually gives Chani a lot more agency and autonomy than she was originally written with. In the books, there’s nothing to separate Chani from the other Fremen loyalists who blindly believe that Paul is the Muad’dib who will save them from Harkonnen oppression. Villeneuve clearly recognized this weakness in her character, and allowed her to choose herself instead of Paul’s manipulative politics.
There’s a sense of tragedy to Chani’s fate in the Dune books, and it often feels like she’s never in control of her own destiny.
Herbert’s Dune Messiah sees Chani stand by Paul’s side despite his marriage to Princess Irulan; she’s demoted to being his concubine, giving her no political power despite her relationship with Emperor Paul. She remains this way for the rest of her life, eventually dying in childbirth after Irulan secretly poisons her. There’s a sense of tragedy to Chani’s fate in the Dune books, and it often feels like she’s never in control of her own destiny. Villeneuve has clearly changed this with Dune 2’s ending, and I’m optimistic that he’ll stick with this approach in the next movie.
Dune: Part Three Should Be More Character-Driven Than Herbert’s Novel
There’s Way Too Much Politics In The Book To Fit Into 2 Hours
For the longest time, Herbert’s works were considered “unfilmable” because of their staggering scope, political complexity, and fantastical sci-fi concepts. Villeneuve did an excellent job of translating these unique ideas to the big screen, but it’s going to be harder than ever to achieve the same thing with Dune Messiah. The plot is even more complex and convoluted than the first book, with secret conspiracies and unexpected double-crossings at every turn. Almost the entire first half is told through flashbacks and anecdotes, which isn’t entirely compatible with a two-hour movie.
Ultimately, it will be much easier if Dune: Part Three accepts that it simply can’t be a note-by-note adaptation of Dune Messiah, and uses the existing relationships and character dynamics to forge something unique and singular instead. There are huge strengths to the book, but Villeneuve should have the creative freedom to focus on the characters and their personal conflicts instead of the overall political intrigue of Dune Messiah. He’s already set the stage for this perfectly with Chani’s departure in Dune 2, so I’m holding out hope that he won’t sabotage his own ideas simply to be more loyal to the source material.
