The following contains spoilers for Dune: Part Two, now playing in theaters
Summary
- Anya Taylor-Joy voices Alia Atreides, providing guidance to Paul and setting up a potential major role in future Dune films.
- Alia's presence in Dune 2 hints at her importance, with her unborn character crucial to the plot despite limited screen time.
- Anya Taylor-Joy's potential return in Dune 3 suggests Alia's evolution from ally to a corrupted threat, adding depth to the franchise.
Dune 2's main characters, her presence is felt throughout the film as both a guiding voice for the heroes and a tease of things to come. As an important figure within the original Dune novels by Frank Herbert, Taylor-Joy's character could become a major fixture of the franchise if more films adapting the series are produced.
This could explain how Dune director Denis Villeneuve was able to convince an actress of Anya Taylor-Joy's pedigree to appear for such a relatively minor but quietly important part in Anya Taylor-Joy was cast in Dune 2.
Every Major Death In Dune 2, Explained
Dune: Part Two has some pretty brutal deaths, which play into the film's themes and will radically alter the galaxy going into a potential third film.
Anya Taylor-Joy Voices Jessica's Unborn Baby In Dune 2
Here's How Anya Taylor-Joy Appears In Dune: Part Two
Anya Taylor-Joy plays Paul's unborn sister Alia Atreides in Dune 2. Taylor-Joy's secret role appears primarily through visions seen by Paul. Conceived during the events of 2021's Dune, Alia's mother, Jessica, is pregnant with her throughout Dune 2. Jessica's exposure to the Water of Life allows Alia to speak with her mother telepathically. This connection allows the two to discuss Paul and his mission, with Jessica citing Alia's perspective and opinions during her arguments with her son over his destiny. Although Alia is born during the events of the original Dune, she remains physically absent for much of Dune 2.
Given the importance of the character to the overall Dune mythos, it makes sense why the character would be introduced in Dune 2.
In Dune: Part Two, Anya Tayor-Joy voices the unborn Alia during conversations as her mother's pregnancy progresses. This allows Alia to have a minor but important role in the film despite technically not appearing in much of it. Given the importance of the character to the overall Dune mythos, it makes sense why the character would be introduced in Dune 2. Despite this, it's a largely vocal performance from Taylor-Joy until the latter section of the film. Alia has been quietly teased in another function, one that serves as a threatening undercurrent to Paul's growth throughout the film.
Dune 2 Changing Alia Atreides' Role Sets Up A More Satisfying Ending For 1 Character
New details about Alia Atreides' role in Dune: Part Two teases a major change to the story that could give one character a more satisfying ending.
Anya Taylor-Joy's Alia Atreides Appears In Dune 2
Alia's Minor But Vital Role In Dune: Part 2, Explained
Throughout Dune: Part Two, Paul Atreides does everything in his power to avoid embracing the Fremen prophecy of the Mahdi. Paul's visions in Dune 2 haunt him of a future where an Atredies-led war ravages the galaxy and leaves billions dead. In these visions, Paul sees a figure striding through the desert, ignoring the starving people all around them. Steadily, the vision is made clearer, suggesting that the character Paul sees is not actually him. When Paul finally accepts his fate and drinks the Water of Life, Paul receives a more vivid vision of the figure.
Anya Taylor-Joy's scene reveals their familial connection to Vladimir Harkonnen and teases the future of Arrakis.
Now revealed to be Alia, the character briefly speaks with Paul about how he can now see the past and future of their House. Anya Taylor-Joy's scene reveals their familial connection to Vladimir Harkonnen and teases the future of Arrakis. Anya Taylor-Joy is only on-screen for a few moments, but she represents a great deal of internal strife and potential danger to Paul and the rest of the galaxy at large. If the film adaptations of the Dune franchise continue, then she'll have a far greater role to play in the prospective third film.
Who Is Alia Atreides? Paul's Sister In Dune Explained
Dune: Part Two still hasn't revealed much about one of the movie's biggest characters, with Alia Atredies playing a huge role in the sequel.
Alia Atreides' Role In Dune: Messiah Explained
A Third Dune Film Would Likely Adapt The Second Dune Book
Alia plays a minor but important role in Frank Herbert's Dune. Alia becomes a more central character in the following novel, Dune Messiah. Alia spends much of the latter story trying to help her brother, rooting out a conspiracy against the Atreides family. She also finds herself in a surprising romance with a restored Duncan Idaho, remade by Reverend Mother Mohiam to use as a weapon against Paul's rule. Alia's role in a prospective third Dune film would likely focus on these elements, as well as her own eventual place within the galactic empire.
If that's the case, Alia would likely be a major ally to Paul going into a third film. Her efforts to protect the restored Atreides house would fit well alongside Paul's attempts to keep true to his noble intentions. It would be especially tragic as his journey drives him away from those he loves while Alia fights for them. However, her overall arc in the six-part Dune series eventually sets the stage for her corruption by the return of Baron Harkkonen. This could allow future films — even beyond a prospective Dune: Part Three — to reorient the character as an antagonist.
12 Biggest Dune 2 Book Changes From Denis Villeneuve's Sequel
Dune: Part Two adapts the second part of Frank Herbert's novel, and Denis Villeneuve's sequel changes the Dune book story and characters many times.
Will Anya Taylor-Joy Return As Alia For Dune 3?
Alia's Importance Would Explain Why Anya Taylor-Joy Was Cast In The Role
Although a trilogy concluding Dune 3 has not been confirmed at the time of this writing, it wouldn't be surprising to see the film approved following director Denis Villenuve's public statements - as well as the strong critical receptions and likely box office success of Dune 2. An in-demand actress like Anya Taylor-Joy is unlikely to have only signed on for the Dune franchise such a minor role. This suggests that if the Dune story continues on-screen, Taylor-Joy would likely continue to play the character going forward as she rises in importance.
Given her importance to the overall saga and her own evolving role from steadfast ally to corrupted threat, Alia would be a compelling character for Anya-Taylor Joy in a potential Dune 3. It would explain why she took on a role that's basically a cameo in Dune: 2. Considering the stories that would likely be the primary source material for a third film, it seems likely that Taylor-Joy would be much more than just a vision in any potential sequel to Dune: Part Two.
Dune: Part Two is now playing in theaters.
Dune: Part Two
- Release Date
- February 27, 2024
- Runtime
- 167 minutes
- Director
- Denis Villeneuve
Cast
Paul Atreides
Chani
WHERE TO WATCH
Dune: Part Two continues the epic saga of Paul Atreides as he allies with Chani and the Fremen. Pursuing retribution for his family's devastation, Paul grapples with a significant decision impacting his personal desires and the universe's future, attempting to avert a dire destiny that only he anticipates.
- Writers
- Denis Villeneuve
- Franchise(s)
- Dune
- Studio(s)
- Legendary Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures
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