Dune: Messiah may have found its new villain, as multiple trade publications have reported that Robert Pattinson is being eyed for the franchise. Pattinson joins other actors who have already confirmed their participation in the next film, including Jason Momoa and Anya Taylor-Joy. Reports of Pattinson’s role say that he’s expected to play the primary antagonist. The upcoming film adapts Frank Herbert’s Dune: Messiah, and based on what happens in the book, Pattinson seems like he’ll play the shape-shifting villain Scytale. The role is fitting for Pattinson, while also promising some strange plots for the third installment in the sci-fi series.
- Release Date
-
December 18, 2026
- Director
-
Denis Villeneuve
- Writers
-
Jon Spaihts
- Producers
-
John Harrison, Mary Parent, Richard P. Rubinstein, Thomas Tull, Tanya Lapointe
- Prequel(s)
-
Dune, Dune: Part Two
- Franchise(s)
-
Dune
Cast
-
Timothée Chalamet
Paul Atreides
Who Is Scytale in ‘Dune’?
Scytale is a character first introduced in Dune: Messiah, the sequel to the original Dune book. He’s introduced along with the rest of the Bene Tleilax, who live on the planet Tleilax. The Tleilaxu are highly advanced in the field of genetic technology, going as far as making clones.
The Tleilaxu’s specialty is Face Dancers, who are able to transform themselves into other humans. In the book series, Face Dancers were first introduced in Dune: Messiah, but they have already appeared in the Dune franchise via the prequel series Dune: Prophecy. The most prominent Face Dancer in Dune: Messiah is Scytale.
While it’s not confirmed that Robert Pattinson will be playing Scytale, there aren’t many other characters he could possibly play. Scytale is the primary antagonist of Dune: Messiah. He starts a conspiracy to take down Paul Atreides that involves characters that have already been introduced, like Reverend Mother Mohiam of the Bene Gesserit and Princess Irulan, whom Paul agrees to marry at the end of Dune: Part Two. The conspiracy will also introduce a few new characters.
Dune: Messiah will have Pattinson stepping into a strange role as Scytale continuously shifts into characters within Paul’s inner circle. Face Dancers aren’t restricted by sex, either, and can transform into men or women, which Scytale demonstrates in the book. It will be interesting to see exactly how the upcoming film depicts these transformations, as it’s much easier for a reader to imagine than for a film to show.
Get Ready for ‘Dune: Messiah’ To Get Weird
The 2021 Dune film felt pretty simple, but Dune: Part Two got a little bit stranger as it grew in scope and dealt with the politics of the Dune universe. If Dune: Messiah is anything like the book, it promises to get even weirder. The book deals with Paul Atreides’ reign as emperor and messiah to the Fremen. He receives multiple visions that show him he’s leading the universe down a troubled path, though he’s not exactly sure what to do.
Others, like Scytale, also recognize that Paul’s reign is dangerous and work to dethrone him, even using psychological tricks to try to stop him. Scytale is not the only Tleilaxu creation sent to Paul in this way. The Tleilaxu also create a clone of Paul’s friend, Duncan Idaho. The clone, named Hayt, doesn’t have Duncan Idaho’s memories at first and is meant to weaken Paul. Hayt is even instructed to kill Paul at one point before getting Duncan Idaho’s memories back. Duncan Idaho’s actor, Jason Momoa, has confirmed he’ll be returning to the series, so this plot will most likely be adapted in the film.
Related
‘Dune’ Star Has No Idea If He’ll Return in ‘Dune: Messiah’
One of the most prominent actors in the ‘Dune’ franchise currently has no idea if they’ll be back for ‘Dune 3’.
Paul’s inner circle will also have some weirdness. In the books, Paul refuses to have children with his wife, Princess Irulan, having twins with Chani instead, who’s technically a concubine. The twins and Chani play a pivotal role in the books as they’re used as leverage to stop Paul. Scytale threatens to kill Paul’s children and offers Paul a clone of Chani after she dies. However, it’s not clear how the next Dune film will adapt this plot as Chani splits from Paul at the end of Dune: Part Two.
It’s No Surprise That Robert Pattinson’s Joining the Cast of ‘Dune’
Robert Pattinson potentially joining the cast of Dune: Messiah is some of the least surprising news this year. Robert Pattinson has been a hit with Dune‘s distributor, Warner Bros., as the studio has also distributed many of his recent hits, including Tenet, The Batman, and Mickey 17. The actor and studio seem to have a good reputation together, and it would be a major fumble for Warner Bros. if Pattinson doesn’t sign on for Dune: Messiah.
The Dune series has also had great success finding younger actors who are rising to become household names. The series has featured actors like Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Austin Butler. Although he’s certainly a little older than these actors, Pattinson’s career feels similar. His rise to fame through the Harry Potter and Twilight series, as well as his recent success, makes him feel like a perfect fit with the rest of the cast.
Related
Everything We Know About ‘Dune: Messiah’
We hope you still have your stillsuit on because Denis Villanueve’s epic trilogy will soon come to an end with ‘Dune: Messiah’.
Pattinson’s career has also had the actor playing a few strange characters lately. With Mickey 17 in particular, Pattinson showed his ability to play distinct versions of the same character, switching up his voice and persona for each different Mickey clone. It’s the exact kind of acting needed for a character like Scytale, who comes from the same genre of sci-fi weirdness as Mickey 17. Although the film will likely have Scytale’s transformations played by other actors, Pattinson’s ability to get into the mindset of multiple people makes him perfect for Scytale.
Dune: Part 3 is scheduled to release in theaters on December 16, 2026.
Dune: Messiah may have found its new villain, as multiple trade publications have reported that Robert Pattinson is being eyed for the franchise. Pattinson joins other actors who have already confirmed their participation in the next film, including Jason Momoa and Anya Taylor-Joy. Reports of Pattinson’s role say that he’s expected to play the primary antagonist. The upcoming film adapts Frank Herbert’s Dune: Messiah, and based on what happens in the book, Pattinson seems like he’ll play the shape-shifting villain Scytale. The role is fitting for Pattinson, while also promising some strange plots for the third installment in the sci-fi series.
- Release Date
-
December 18, 2026
- Director
-
Denis Villeneuve
- Writers
-
Jon Spaihts
- Producers
-
John Harrison, Mary Parent, Richard P. Rubinstein, Thomas Tull, Tanya Lapointe
- Prequel(s)
-
Dune, Dune: Part Two
- Franchise(s)
-
Dune
Cast
-
Timothée Chalamet
Paul Atreides
Who Is Scytale in ‘Dune’?
Scytale is a character first introduced in Dune: Messiah, the sequel to the original Dune book. He’s introduced along with the rest of the Bene Tleilax, who live on the planet Tleilax. The Tleilaxu are highly advanced in the field of genetic technology, going as far as making clones.
The Tleilaxu’s specialty is Face Dancers, who are able to transform themselves into other humans. In the book series, Face Dancers were first introduced in Dune: Messiah, but they have already appeared in the Dune franchise via the prequel series Dune: Prophecy. The most prominent Face Dancer in Dune: Messiah is Scytale.
While it’s not confirmed that Robert Pattinson will be playing Scytale, there aren’t many other characters he could possibly play. Scytale is the primary antagonist of Dune: Messiah. He starts a conspiracy to take down Paul Atreides that involves characters that have already been introduced, like Reverend Mother Mohiam of the Bene Gesserit and Princess Irulan, whom Paul agrees to marry at the end of Dune: Part Two. The conspiracy will also introduce a few new characters.
Dune: Messiah will have Pattinson stepping into a strange role as Scytale continuously shifts into characters within Paul’s inner circle. Face Dancers aren’t restricted by sex, either, and can transform into men or women, which Scytale demonstrates in the book. It will be interesting to see exactly how the upcoming film depicts these transformations, as it’s much easier for a reader to imagine than for a film to show.
Get Ready for ‘Dune: Messiah’ To Get Weird
The 2021 Dune film felt pretty simple, but Dune: Part Two got a little bit stranger as it grew in scope and dealt with the politics of the Dune universe. If Dune: Messiah is anything like the book, it promises to get even weirder. The book deals with Paul Atreides’ reign as emperor and messiah to the Fremen. He receives multiple visions that show him he’s leading the universe down a troubled path, though he’s not exactly sure what to do.
Others, like Scytale, also recognize that Paul’s reign is dangerous and work to dethrone him, even using psychological tricks to try to stop him. Scytale is not the only Tleilaxu creation sent to Paul in this way. The Tleilaxu also create a clone of Paul’s friend, Duncan Idaho. The clone, named Hayt, doesn’t have Duncan Idaho’s memories at first and is meant to weaken Paul. Hayt is even instructed to kill Paul at one point before getting Duncan Idaho’s memories back. Duncan Idaho’s actor, Jason Momoa, has confirmed he’ll be returning to the series, so this plot will most likely be adapted in the film.
Related
‘Dune’ Star Has No Idea If He’ll Return in ‘Dune: Messiah’
One of the most prominent actors in the ‘Dune’ franchise currently has no idea if they’ll be back for ‘Dune 3’.
Paul’s inner circle will also have some weirdness. In the books, Paul refuses to have children with his wife, Princess Irulan, having twins with Chani instead, who’s technically a concubine. The twins and Chani play a pivotal role in the books as they’re used as leverage to stop Paul. Scytale threatens to kill Paul’s children and offers Paul a clone of Chani after she dies. However, it’s not clear how the next Dune film will adapt this plot as Chani splits from Paul at the end of Dune: Part Two.
It’s No Surprise That Robert Pattinson’s Joining the Cast of ‘Dune’
Robert Pattinson potentially joining the cast of Dune: Messiah is some of the least surprising news this year. Robert Pattinson has been a hit with Dune‘s distributor, Warner Bros., as the studio has also distributed many of his recent hits, including Tenet, The Batman, and Mickey 17. The actor and studio seem to have a good reputation together, and it would be a major fumble for Warner Bros. if Pattinson doesn’t sign on for Dune: Messiah.
The Dune series has also had great success finding younger actors who are rising to become household names. The series has featured actors like Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Austin Butler. Although he’s certainly a little older than these actors, Pattinson’s career feels similar. His rise to fame through the Harry Potter and Twilight series, as well as his recent success, makes him feel like a perfect fit with the rest of the cast.
Related
Everything We Know About ‘Dune: Messiah’
We hope you still have your stillsuit on because Denis Villanueve’s epic trilogy will soon come to an end with ‘Dune: Messiah’.
Pattinson’s career has also had the actor playing a few strange characters lately. With Mickey 17 in particular, Pattinson showed his ability to play distinct versions of the same character, switching up his voice and persona for each different Mickey clone. It’s the exact kind of acting needed for a character like Scytale, who comes from the same genre of sci-fi weirdness as Mickey 17. Although the film will likely have Scytale’s transformations played by other actors, Pattinson’s ability to get into the mindset of multiple people makes him perfect for Scytale.
Dune: Part 3 is scheduled to release in theaters on December 16, 2026.
