Javier Bardem, the Academy Award-winning star who has given life to Fremen leader Stilgar inDuneandDune: Part Two,doesn’t actually know if his character will be back in the third part of the franchise.Dune: Messiahis now beingwritten by returning filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, but it sounds like Bardem is just as in the dark about what the movie will involve as we all are. Bardem is a very busy man at the moment, delivering a riveting performance in the Netflix series about the Menendez brothers case,Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, and his new animated musical film,Spellbound, has just been released by the streamer. The actor spoke toVarietyabout his future projects, and provided a surprising update about his not-so-potential participation inDune: Messiah:
“I know that I’m in the book, so I should be in the script. If I’m not, I will be very angry and I will let him know. I will go to Canada.”
TheNo Country For Old MenandBeing the Ricardosstar is, of course, poking fun at the situation, bringing to mind the comic reliefhis character Stilgaroften provides inDune: Part Two. Audiences everywhere couldn’t help but crack up whenever Stilgar had an epiphany of some sort or saw Paul Atreides as the messiah and spewed out “Lisan al-Gaib!” every chance he had. Nevertheless, he’s one of the most important characters of the franchise, showing viewers the most orthodox side of the Fremen tribe. This is what Bardemreallymeant about the uncertainty of his character inDune: Messiah,and trusting Villeneuve more than anything:
“Seriously though, I totally love him. I adore him. Whatever he wants, and whatever he decides, it will be fine for me. Absolutely. He’s one of a kind. He’s an extraordinary human being. Such a loving man, fun, funny as hell, and a real worker.”
Here’s What We Know About ‘Dune: Messiah’ So Far
Paul’s story inMessiahis likely totake a darker turn, suggesting things will change for the character and his relationship with the Fremen. Removing Stilgar from the picture would be disappointing, but it’s currently too early for theories. All we have is Villeneuve’s capacity to impress, as he already did with two previous solid entries. All we can do is trust him, and put Stilgar’s fate in his hands. However, Bardem does have one request if he gets to come back as Stilgar, and it’s something his son wants to see:
“When he sawDune 2, he stood up in the theater and said, ‘That’s my dad.’ But then at the end, he said, ‘But you haven’t had any sword fighting.’ So now I have another demand for Denis Villeneuve. If there is such a thing asDune: Messiah, please give me just a little sword fighting so that I can show it to my kid.”
Denis Villeneuve Won’t Adapt Frank Herbert’s Strange Third Dune Book, Here’s Why That’s a Good Thing
Denis Villeneuve will not return to direct Children of Dune after completing his trilogy with Dune Messiah, and that’s good for him and the franchise.
So far, all we know ofDune 3is that Paul’s story will follow the events of Frank Herbert’s sequel to his book, “Dune: Messiah.” The novel isset 12 years after the eventsof the first book, so expect to see some big changes when the sci-fi saga does return. In the meantime, Bardem isn’t slowing down. He has just signed up to star as Max Cady in theApple TV+ adaptation ofCape Fear, which is set to be directed by Nick Antosca, and executive produced by Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. The actor will also have a pretty important role in Joseph Kosinski’sF1, which will be released in June 2025.
Dune: Part Two
