Dune: Part Two appears to have already changed one of the film's most important characters, Feyd-Rautha, in this crucial way. Dune: Part Two will cover the second half of Frank Herbert's iconic sci-fi novel, Dune. Denis Villeneuve's first installment of Dune received strong reviews from fans and critics alike, but the film leaves out several key characters that will need to be introduced in the sequel, including Feyd-Rautha.
Feyd-Rautha is the nephew and chosen heir of the treacherous Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. Feyd-Rautha is a central part of the Baron's plans to seize power, largely because he proves to his uncle that he can be as ruthless and power-hungry as he is. Feyd is likely to be one of Dune: Part Two's main antagonists, and if the story remains loyal to the book, he will see his fair share of action. Feyd is a critical character in Herbert's novel, so it's fair to expect his character to be introduced somewhat early on in Dune: Part Two, which means his big book change will be evident from the start.
Feyd-Rautha Will Look Different In Dune 2 Compared To The Books: Why That Matters
The first shots of Feyd-Rautha from Dune: Part Two show that Feyd will be bald and somewhat monstrous in appearance, keeping in line with the other Harkonnens in Dune. This is a big change from the book, which depicts Feyd with hair and looking much different from his uncle, the Baron. In fact, Feyd-Rautha is very pointedly described as being much different from his uncle and the rest of the Harkonnens in general, which makes this a big decision for Denis Villeneuve. Feyd-Rautha is supposed to stand out in the book, so this could end up being a broader character change to make him more like his devious uncle.
Alternatively, it could just be a change to his appearance for the sake of making Feyd more intimidating and distinctly evil without implying any broader changes to the character. Villeneuve has maintained a strong level of loyalty to Herbert's novel, so it seems unlikely he would make any drastic changes to Feyd's personality or ambitions. It's more likely that Feyd's appearance is simply meant to set him apart as an unambiguously evil character, which would not be a bad thing. Part of Villeneuve's Dune adaptation's success is the eerie feel of the film, which this type of costuming can contribute to.
What We Know About Feyd-Rautha's Role In Dune 2
At least part of Feyd-Rautha's Dune: Part Two story can be gleaned from his role in Herbert's novel. Feyd will likely be introduced on Giedi Prime, the home planet of House Harkonnen, where he will likely be shown in the fighting pits as he is in the book. He is also likely to participate in some of the Baron's schemes for power, and could even attempt to assassinate his uncle as he tries to do in the book. Most importantly, he will travel to Arrakis where he will eventually duel Paul Atreides in one of the novel's most thrilling scenes. Whatever part he plays, Feyd-Rautha will be a critical character in Dune: Part Two.
