(UTV | UNITED KINGDOM) – Denis Villeneuve’s Oscar-nominated sci-fi epic “Dune” was notably missing key three characters from the books which were likely being saved for the sequel.
Today one of those had been appeared to have been filed with British actress Florence Pugh (“Black Widow,” “Litte Women”) in talks to play Princess Irulan in the upcoming “Dune: Part Two” at Legendary and Warner Bros Pictures.
The script is still being written with Pugh said to be waiting for the latest draft. She’s also in contention for the Madonna biopic and should she score the role, a scheduling conflict could arise.
If a deal is made, Pugh would be the first new addition to the films as the cast announced so far are all returnees including Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem.
The new film will adapt the second half of Frank Herbert’s seminal 1965 novel as Paul Atreides (Chalamet) fights with the Fremen to free the desert planet of Arrakis from the grips of House Harkonnen.
Irulan is the daughter of Emperor Shaddam IV, the ruler who sent the Atreides to Arrakis. The role of the Emperor is also being cast, as is Baron Harkonnen’s lethal nephew Feyd-Rautha.
Shooting on the new film is expected to begin this Summer ahead of an October 2023 release.