Austin Butler, who is due to star in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic this summer, may head to the desert to film Dune: Part 2. The actor is in talks to star in the 2021 Denis Villeneuve sequel.
The project, which hopes to film this summer around the world, is in the process of casting three important roles, with Florence Pugh also in talks for a role. The challenge list will include returning stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin, among others.
The first Dune adapted only half of Frank Herbert’s classic 1965 novel, while the second part focuses on the rest of the story. It begins with Paul Atreides (Chalamet) fighting alongside the Fremen to free the desert planet of Arrakis from the clutches of House Harkonnen.
If the deal goes through, Butler will play Feyd-Rautha, the baron’s cunning nephew, the villain played by Stellan Skarsgård, who leads House Harkonnen.
The other two parts include Emperor Shaddam IV, the ruler who sent the Atreides family to Arrakis in the first Dune, and Princess Irulan, the emperor’s daughter.
Dune opened daily in US theaters and on HBO Max in October and grossed over $400 million worldwide. Warner Bros. has set a release date for Dune: Part 2 as October 20, 2023.
Butler had a notable role in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood as a member of the Manson family who met his demise thanks to Brad Pitt. He also starred in the MTV fantasy series The Shannara Chronicles. Butler is represented by WME, Anonymous Content and Sloane Offer.