Robert Pattinson’s Scytale Will Be Dune’s Greatest Villain Yet

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Denis Villeneuve is back to direct the final installment in the Dune trilogy, adapting Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah. Joining the cast is Robert Pattinson, a highly-regarded British actor, who will play Scytale, the central villain in the upcoming Dune film. Pattinson previously worked with Timothée Chalamet on The King, also as a villain, and will share the screen with Zendaya in a new film called The Drama.

By the end of Dune: Part Two, Paul defeats and kills the villainous Baron and his ruthless nephew, Feyd-Rautha, in a dramatic fight. The Emperor gives up, and Paul announces he will marry Princess Irulan, solidifying his claim to the throne. At this point, Paul has become Muad’Dib, the leader of the Fremen people and the ruler of the entire Imperium. Dune: Part Three will focus on new enemies and political groups rising up to challenge Paul’s power, all while he grapples with the consequences of becoming a god-like figure and the devastating holy war he’s started.

Scytale Will Test Paul 17 Years After Dune: Part Two

The trailer for Dune: Part Three was released on March 17th, and Robert Pattinson’s performance as Scytale quickly gained attention. Scytale is a member of the sinister Bene Tleilax, a group known for their ability to change their appearance and personality. In the trailer, Pattinson has a striking look – a blond buzz cut and bleached eyebrows – and comes across as intensely power-hungry. He appears completely without empathy, even wearing a stillsuit and walking among the Fremen with a filt plug. His character will scheme against Paul Atreides by assuming multiple disguises.

The third Dune film will take place 17 years after the second movie, representing a considerable leap forward in time. Director and co-writer Denis Villeneuve shared this during a recent panel discussion, just before showing the trailer, according to Deadline.

The story jumps forward 17 years, showing Paul struggling with the negative effects of his immense power and trying to break free from a pattern of violence. Because he’s also an emperor who can foresee the future, he’s essentially unstoppable.

The Face Dancers are highly skilled in a complex mental discipline similar to the training Lady Jessica gives Paul. This allows them to perfectly imitate other people’s personalities, making them incredibly effective spies and assassins. Known as both Face Dancers and Face Changers, they are a unique, shapeshifting race. Even from a simple description, it’s easy to see why they are considered one of the most disturbing groups in the Dune universe, and why Pattinson’s character, Scytale, is such a powerful villain in the Dune films. As a weapon of the Bene Tleilax, Scytale doesn’t fight with brute force, but by subtly undermining Paul in ways we haven’t seen before.

During the discussion, Pattinson described his character as complex and intriguing, explaining that his ambiguous loyalties are what make him so captivating. He doesn’t see the character as a typical villain, and even suggested he might be a hero. Pattinson admitted he’s curious to see how the character plays out on screen, as he’s still discovering nuances himself. He also shared that playing the role is incredibly enjoyable and the character’s appearance is remarkable.

The third Dune film, with the threat of Scytale and the return of Duncan Idaho as a ghola, is shaping up to be a tense psychological thriller. Hayt, trained by the Bene Tleilax to kill Paul, adds to the danger, creating a world of betrayal and deception. Director Denis Villeneuve describes this installment as faster-paced and more action-packed than the first two, though the central relationship between Paul and Chani will remain a key part of the story, even as various groups conspire against Paul’s rule.

Dune: Part Three’s Cast is Absolutely Stacked

The third movie will once again star Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, alongside Zendaya as his love interest and fellow warrior, Chani. Rebecca Ferguson will return as Paul’s mother, Lady Jessica, and Florence Pugh as Irulan. Rounding out the returning cast are Charlotte Rampling as Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam and Javier Bardem as Stilgar.

Jason Momoa returns as Duncan Idaho, now reborn as Hayt, continuing his story from the first Dune film. Robert Pattinson joins the cast, and Anya Taylor-Joy has a larger role as Paul Atreides’ sister, Alia. New cast members include Isaach De Bankolé as Farok, and Nakoa-Wolf Momoa and Ida Brooke as Paul and Chani’s children, Leto and Ghanima.

The movie Dune: Part One came out in 2021, followed by Part Two in 2024. Now, Warner Bros. and Legendary are releasing Dune: Part Three on December 18th.

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2026-04-09 03:09