Top 10 Things Dune Parts One and Two Change From the Book

“Dune: Part Two” introduces us to Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, played by Christopher Walken. The book establishes Shaddam as 72 years old. Walken may seem age-appropriate since he’s now in his 80s, but the book notes that Shaddam looks like a 35-year-old - maybe even younger. A regular dosage of spice does wonders for one’s looks! While Villeneuve could’ve cast a younger actor or de-aged Walken, he opted to have Shaddam look his age. Had Shaddam appeared younger like in the book, we imagine outsiders would question why he looks roughly the same age as his daughter. With Walken’s casting, the film avoids an exposition dump. David Lynch’s “Dune” and the 2000 miniseries also went with older actors, casting José Ferrer and Giancarlo Giannini, respectively.

The first half of Villeneuve’s adaptation builds to a confrontation between Paul Atreides and Jamis of the Fremen tribe. In the novel and film, this duel ends with blood on Paul’s hands. The movie makes a few significant changes, however. Before officially meeting, Paul has visions of Jamis, seeing a path where they become friends. Instead, Paul proves himself to the Fremen by defeating Jamis, although some view him as a murderer rather than a messiah. In addition to not having visions of Jamis in the book, Paul and Lady Jessica spend more time with the Fremen before the fight takes place. The film sets Paul up as a more divisive figure and emphasizes how his visions can lead to different outcomes.

Brought to life by Austin Butler, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is another figure who debuts in “Dune: Part Two.” While Butler accurately portrays Feyd-Rautha’s menacing charisma, the film makes some tweaks to his appearance. In the book, you wouldn’t necessarily guess Feyd-Rautha and Baron Vladimir Harkonnen are related based on appearance. In addition to not looking much like his uncle, Feyd-Rautha stands out from most of the Harkonnen. Although Feyd-Rautha is much leaner than the Baron in Villeneuve’s adaptation, his physical appearance otherwise doesn’t stick out drastically. Gone is his dark hair, instead rocking a bald head like the rest of House Harkonnen. The film relies more on Butler’s expressions and body language, which tells the audience that Feyd-Rautha is deadlier than the average Harkonnen.

Even with two films that have a combined runtime of 322 minutes, a few moments from Herbert’s first novel were inevitably omitted. One of the most prominent scenes not to make the cut sees the Atreides attend a dinner not long after arriving on Arrakis. Hosted by Duke Leto, the banquet includes merchants, smugglers, Guild bankers, and various others. This not only expands upon the universe that Herbert created, but also dives deeper into the political tensions surrounding this planet. In a production this lengthy and expensive, we understand why they’d have to exclude any scenes that aren’t 100% necessary. The dinner party might not have been essential, but it encompassed some of the franchise’s finest world-building and could’ve further elevated Villeneuve’s adaptation.

Chani is barely in “Dune: Part One” and Princess Irulan was revered for “Part Two.” It makes sense why Villeneuve aspired to create more roles for women. Otherwise, Lady Jessica would be the only female with substantial screen time. Sharon Duncan-Brewster plays Dr. Liet Kynes, who was male in Herbert’s book and previous adaptations. As Villeneuve saw it, this “doesn’t change the nature of the character. It just makes it closer to the world today, and more relevant and frankly more interesting.” Beyond the gender swap, Kynes meets a slightly different fate in the film. Instead of dying from dehydration and delirium after being stranded in the desert, Kynes is given a more triumphant exit, summoning a sandworm that consumes her and her attackers.

Lady Jessica has always been an important figure, but Villeneuve’s two films develop her into an even more layered character. The book describes Jessica as Leto Atreides’ “concubine.” While the film doesn’t change her role, Jessica commands more respect and Duke Leto is more openly affectionate toward her. The film also removes a plot point where Jessica is suspected of being a Harkonnen spy. After escaping into the desert with Paul and becoming a Reverend Mother, Jessica’s presence in the novel is slowly but surely reduced. Not wanting Rebecca Ferguson to be “an expensive extra,” Villeneuve sought to make Jessica a constant presence. “Dune: Part Two” thus sees her interact more with Paul and the Fremen, proving to have a powerful influence.

Like Lady Jessica, Chani was integral to the book, but she’s taken to new depths in the movies, especially “Dune: Part Two.” The film does an effective job of building a loving relationship between her and Paul, which makes it all the more tragic when they’re driven apart. At the center of the conflict is the prophecy that Paul is destined to be the chosen one. While Paul initially rejects this idea, he eventually comes to embrace it. In a change from the book, Chani speaks out against these long-held religious beliefs. With both headed down different paths, Paul is given more incentive to marry Princess Irulan. Unlike the book where Chani becomes Paul’s concubine, “Dune: Part Two” ends with Chani striking out independently.

In Herbert’s novel, Paul has a son with Chani, naming him after his late father. When the Fremen are attacked only a couple of years later, Leto II is among the casualties. We can see why “Dune: Part Two” left out Leto II for a few reasons. To begin, the film is already nearly three hours long. The pacing likely would’ve suffered if the film introduced Paul’s firstborn only to quickly take him out of the picture. Secondly, reading about Leto II’s death is one thing, but seeing it depicted on screen may’ve been more than some audiences could handle. Finally, “Dune Messiah” sees Paul and Chani have another son, who’s also confusedly named Leto II. So, this spares us of any repetitive plot points.

Anya Taylor-Joy makes a surprise cameo in “Dune: Part 2” as Paul’s sister Alia via a vision. Other than this, we don’t see Alia outside of her mother’s womb. Jessica spends the whole movie pregnant with no major time jump, although it’s strongly hinted that Alia will play a vital role in future sequels. Alia is born in Herbert’s first book, leading to some of the most - let’s say colorful - moments. Due to the Water of Life, Alia comes into the world a full Reverend Mother. What’s more, she’s essentially an adult in the body of a child, allowing her to take out the Baron at age two. While the Baron meets his end in the film, Alia isn’t the one who does him in.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Paul’s First Interaction with a Sandworm
The Film Puts Him in More Jeopardy

Dr. Yueh’s Betrayal
The Book Hints at a Traitor, Although The Movie Treats It as a Surprise

The Sardaukar’s Attire While Attacking House Atreides
They Disguise Themselves as Harkonnen in the Book, But Not the Movie

Gurney Halleck vs. Glossu Rabban
While Not in the Book, We Could Use a Rematch Between Thanos & Drax

A More Action-Packed Climax
Only a Few Pages in the Book, But Villeneuve Takes Advantage of the Visual Medium

Those who’ve read the “Dune” novels know that Paul Atreides isn’t an idealistic everyman. He’s an antihero who has many qualities we associate with great leaders, but he also exemplifies the issues that come with proclaiming someone a messiah. That was always Frank Herbert’s intention, although numerous readers didn’t seem to understand this when the first book came out. To set the record straight, Herbert leaned more into Paul’s flawed nature with “Dune Messiah.” Villeneuve doesn’t wait for the third film to bring out Paul’s dark side, establishing early on that despite being the protagonist, he’s not always heroic. If anything, Paul demonstrates why we should “beware of heroes,” which Herbert felt was “the bottom line of the Dune trilogy.”

Were these changes for the better or worse? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.