Robert Pattinson is reportedly being considered for a major role in Dune: Messiah, the third instalment of Denis Villeneuve’s acclaimed sci-fi film series. According to Deadline, the Mickey 17 star is the top choice to portray Scytale, the central antagonist of the story. While no formal offer has yet been made, industry insiders claim there is strong interest in casting Pattinson in the role.
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Scytale is a master of disguise and deception – a “Face Dancer” capable of altering his appearance and voice. In Dune: Messiah, he infiltrates the inner circle of Paul Atreides, who by this point has waged a brutal war across the galaxy, leading to billions of deaths. Working on behalf of the secretive Tleilaxu faction, Scytale attempts to bring down Paul by manipulating those closest to him, including through the use of a reanimated Duncan Idaho.
The role of Scytale would be a thrilling challenge for Pattinson, who has consistently demonstrated a flair for eccentric and transformative performances. From his unsettling intensity in The Lighthouse to his distinctive vocal work in The Boy and the Heron, Pattinson has shown a willingness to push boundaries. Scytale’s duplicitous nature and psychological complexity would allow the actor to fully immerse himself in the character, potentially adopting a new accent and physicality to convey the villain’s chameleon-like persona.
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Filming for Dune: Messiah is expected to begin in the summer, with the script currently in development. Confirmed returning cast members include Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Jason Momoa. Anya Taylor-Joy is also expected to reprise her role as Alia Atreides. Pattinson is presently working on Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which also stars Zendaya. It remains uncertain whether the schedules for the two productions will overlap, but his potential involvement in Dune: Messiah would see him join an ensemble of some of the most celebrated young actors in Hollywood.
