Actor Austin Butler will play Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the charismatic heir to Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, in the highly-anticipated sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune.

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The highly-anticipated sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune is on its way, and fans are eager to see what the future holds for Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, and the rest of the cast. One of the most exciting aspects of Dune: Part Two is the introduction of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the charismatic and calculating heir to Baron Vladimir Harkonnen.

Austin Butler, known for his Golden Globe-winning performance in Elvis, has taken on the role of Feyd-Rautha in the upcoming film. While Sting’s portrayal of the character in David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation had a distinctive red hairdo, Butler’s Feyd-Rautha is said to have a very different character design, but is equally striking.

Who is Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen?
Feyd-Rautha is the youngest of Baron Harkonnen’s two nephews, and his chosen heir. Raised on the Harkonnens’ homeworld of Geidi Prime, Feyd-Rautha is known for his ruthlessness, charisma, and calculating nature, making him a favorite of the Baron and securing his position as heir. He also happens to be a product of the centuries-long breeding program orchestrated by the Bene Gesserit throughout the Empire.

With the failure of the marriage solution to the feud between the Houses of Atreides and Harkonnen, the Bene Gesserit decide to act to salvage Feyd-Rautha’s genetic material in case things don’t go well for him. This is where Léa Seydoux’s Lady Margot enters the game. Lady Margot plants a seed of weakness in Feyd-Rautha, a word of command that would render him immobile—something that comes into play later, during the final clash between Feyd and Paul.

Also read | ‘Dune Part 2’: All you need to know

Fans of Frank Herbert’s original novel know what’s in store for Feyd-Rautha in Dune: Part Two, but for those who are new to the story, it’s safe to say that Feyd-Rautha is a formidable opponent for Paul Atreides. As the two heirs to their respective Houses, their inevitable clash will be one for the ages.

Dune: Part Two is set to hit theaters on October 20, 2023, and with the introduction of Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, it’s shaping up to be another epic installment in the Dune franchise.