Dune 3: Is Robert Pattinson’s New Character Hero or Villain?

Ah, the thrill of a sequel! Especially when it’s the first teaser trailer for Dune: Part Three. Who doesn’t love catching a glimpse of familiar faces? In this trailer, we get to see Paul and Chani looking a bit older and more weathered—they’ve been through some serious stuff since Paul became Emperor. And what’s this? Lady Jessica is sporting some fancy new tattoos while we even get to see the impossible: Duncan Idaho’s face making a comeback after his demise in the first movie! But let’s not forget the new kid on the block: Robert Pattinson! He’s taken on the role of Scytale, a mysterious Face-Dancer. To put it simply, Scytale is deep in a conspiracy against House Atreides, and boy, is he shrouded in intrigue. The big question lurking in the air is: Is he a hero, or is he more of the villain type?

Back to the Future – Sort Of

Directed by the ever-talented Denis Villeneuve, who’s teaming up again with comic writer Brian K. Vaughn, Dune: Part Three dives into Dune Messiah, the second installment of Frank Herbert’s legendary series. Picture this: it’s been around twelve years since the first book’s events, and by now, Paul seems untouchable thanks to his powerful jihad. He’s on a mission to shape humanity’s future, but here’s the catch—a conspiracy is brewing, and it runs deeper than expected, even lurking in his own inner circle!

Meet Scytale: The Face-Dancing Conspirator

So, who’s this Scytale guy? Well, as a Face-Dancer, he’s no average Joe. In short, these shapeshifters can morph their appearance at will. Now hold on—before you start thinking this sounds like every sci-fi trope, let’s break it down. The Dune universe is a whole other ballgame. This saga unfolds eons after the Butlerian Jihad, which wiped out advanced technology. Since then, let’s just say tech took a different route. Now over at the Bene Gesserit, the focus is on spiritual practices that grant some quirky abilities, like the infamous ‘Voice’. Meanwhile, the Bene Tleilax are all about genetic modification, taking things to the next level. They can tweak their biology on a cellular level, pulling off impressive shapeshifting stunts!

Trust Issues in the Dune Universe

If you’ve only watched the Dune films and not read the books, you might not know that Sister Theodosia—yeah, that acolyte from Dune: Prophecy—was a Face-Dancer too. She used her skills to help push Valya Harkonnen’s plans forward. But Face-Dancers are not exactly the prom kings of society; they’ve got a reputation that only worsens over the millennia leading up to the events of the first Dune film. So, when Scytale pops up, it makes sense for him to have some doubts about Paul’s regime. This quirky character holds an essential thematic role in Dune: Part Three. Herbert crafted Dune Messiah partly as a counterpoint to folks who saw Paul as a pristine hero. Instead, the focus shifts towards critiquing those larger-than-life charismatic leaders, creating a morally ambiguous atmosphere that leaves us questioning everything.

Hollywood Glamour Meets Identity Crisis

Let’s face it: it’s tough for storytellers to get their audience to side-eye the main character, especially when he’s played by the charming Timothée Chalamet. But fear not! Enter Robert Pattinson, who balances the scales quite nicely. With his extensive experience playing characters that are a little off-kilter, he’s got this role covered. From Tenet to The Batman, Pattinson knows how to nail those quirky, untrustworthy characters. So, will Scytale be a villain in Dune: Part Three? Well, that depends on how you look at Paul and just what kind of face Scytale decides to show us. A changing face for a changing narrative indeed! Mark your calendars: Dune 3 hits theaters on December 18, 2026!