Austin Butler's portrayal of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in the eagerly awaited Dune sequel resulted in Josh Brolin now being counted on the growing list of Dune actors in awe of Butler's performance.
Previously, actor Stephen McKinley Henderson (who portrays Thufir Hawat in the sequel) also had strong praise for Butler, calling his performance chilling
Brolin became a journalist for Interview Magazine and touched on a wide range of topics concerning Butler's career, but he was especially complimentary of the panache and charisma the Elvis actor brought to portraying Feyd-Rautha.
Said Brolin, "I haven’t seen the whole movie, but I’ve seen enough to know that your work was not for nothing. There’s really great actors that don’t seem so great when you see them in person. They’re doing shit, and you’re like, “I don’t get it.” And then you see them on film, and you’re like, “Wow.” Not to reveal too much, but you were always off doing your thing, practicing, focusing. And not in a narcissistic, self-absorbed way. It was like, 'I’m here to work. Why would I not be working?' I’m the guy on set who’s talking to everybody."
Brolin then followed up by asking if he was nervous working on the project, to which Butler replied, "I’m always nervous. I always feel an incredible pressure. I felt that when I was 12 years old. Even if the material doesn’t really require it, I feel I need to do the best that I possibly can. That sets a bar, and then I’m always afraid that I’m going to miss something. With Dune it was interesting, because I met with Denis [Villeneuve], and we got along very well, and started talking about the character. At that point, we didn’t even have a script, but as we started talking about Feyd, my imagination started running, and I started to feel the terror of the challenge. That’s what I’m guided by now: What really scares me?"
Dune: Part Two is currently set to be released on March 15, 2024. The film was originally set for release on November 3, 2023, but was pushed back due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA Hollywood strike.
The sequel's delay has previously been ascribed to SAG strike rules, which ban actors from promoting any new projects, and Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures feel they have an award-winning sequel on their hands and they want their actors available for an award's season push.
While the WGA and AMPTP recently reached an agreement, the AMPTP and SAG still appear far apart on terms.
Dune: Part Two will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath 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.
Denis Villeneuve directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jon Spaihts based on Herbert’s novel.