Actor Tim Blake Nelson expresses disappointment about his unknown character getting removed from the final cut of Denis Villeneuve‘s Dune: Part Two.
“I don’t think I’m at liberty to say what the scene was. I’d leave that to Denis if he wants to talk about it,” Nelson said to MovieWeb during an interview while promoting his latest release Asleep in My Palm. “I had a great time over there shooting it. And then he had to cut it because he thought the movie was too long. And I am heartbroken over that, but there’s no hard feelings. I loved it, and I can’t wait to do something else with him and we certainly plan to do that.”
Nelson was not the only Dune actor removed from the sequel. Actor Stephen McKinley Henderson was set to reprise his role as House Atreides’ military strategist Thufir Hawat from 2021’s Dune. Though the actor shot scenes for the sequel, Henderson’s character was ultimately removed which deeply disappointed Villeneuve.
“One of the most painful choices for me on this one was Thufir Hawat,” Villeneuve said to Entertainment Weekly. “He’s a character I absolutely love, but I decided right at the beginning that I was making a Bene Gesserit adaptation. That meant that Mentats are not as present as they should be, but it’s the nature of the adaptation.”
What is Dune: Part Two about?
Based on the classic 1965 novel by Frank Herbert, Dune: Part Two continues the story that began in Villeneuve’s 2021 adaption. The official synopsis reads as follows: “‘Dune: Part Two’ will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Two stars Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya alongside Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård, and Javier Bardem. New cast members for Dune: Part Two include Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, and Anya-Taylor Joy.
Dune: Part Two is now playing in theaters.
