My All-Star Cast for a Dune Reboot

It is the 50th anniversary of Frank Herbert’s classic. It took until 1984 (19 years) for the first movie version of Dune to be released. While a cult classic among steampunk fans and others, it failed to capture the true thematic depth of the novel. SyFy Channel tried about fifteen years later and did a better job with the visuals but the acting was pretty weak. Their budget was also well short of what was necessary. Imagine trying to make Lord of the Rings on a budget.

As of today, there are no real plans to do a Dune remake but I thought it’d be fun to dream about the perfect cast for the movie. It might have to be a two part film or three parts like LOTR but it also could work better as a 10-part miniseries like John Adams. In either case here are my first and second choices for each role.

Paul Atreides/Maud’Dib – Eddie Redmayne

He proved his acting talent in Theory of Everything and Les Miserables. While he had a major role in Jupiter Ascending, the horrible movie obscured what could’ve been a great performance.

Paul Atreides is not a physically imposing man and is a mere teenager when the story begins. Redmayne is over thirty years of age, which is a bit of a problem but he looks young. His talent combined with his physical features (somewhat frail, light red hair) would make him an excellent choice.

For those that want the typical Hollywood hero, Maud’Dib isn’t that kind of character.

My backup is Nicholas Hoult, known for his role in Mad Max: Fury Road, and X-Men: Days Future Past. While he hasn’t shown much depth in his biggest movies, he has the look and the demeanor. Like Redmayne, he is not a big guy either.

Duke Leto Atreides – Liam Neeson

The obvious choice is Liam Neeson. There are few actors with his presence and aura of command. He also bears some resemblance to Hoult, which would make them a good pair. Having a past that includes playing Zeus certainly helps as well.

Second choice is a tough one as there are a couple good fits. Assuming Leto is middle-aged and has a aura of nobility there are Russell Crowe and Viggo Mortensen. Viggo doesn’t have the right presence though. Crowe could be a good fit but he doesn’t resemble the character that well.

For the second choice I decided to go a little lower profile, since Leto dies before the halfway point of the movie. My second choice is Iain Glen. Known for his recent role as Jorah Mormont in Game of Thrones, he has had a long and very distinguished career in movies and television. He is more reserved in his demeanor but he commands respect and is about the right age, although maybe a touch too old.

Here I think Neeson is the only choice.

Lady Jessica – Lena Headey

Here, my thinking is that Jessica probably appears a little younger than Leto but has the reddish-brown hair. Nicole Kidman comes to mind, although she might be too expensive for a non-leading role. Lena Headey is a natural brunette but has shown she can pull of a blonde in a pretty convincing way. Reddish-brown shouldn’t be too hard. Both Kidman and Headey have more than enough talent for the role.

Or we could go toward the blonde side of the spectrum with Naomi Watts or Maria Bello. Both have the right look and the talent as well.

Lady Jessica is reserved thanks to her Bene Gesserit training, as well as politically savvy. Because of these attributes I would have to go with Lena Headey. Second choice is Nicole Kidman but seriously any of the three others could fill the role well.

Chani – Zoe Kravitz

The Fremen warrior and consort of Maud’Dib is not the cold, political type but is more the rugged warrior. Life in the desert has darkened her skin and hair. She is also on the younger end.

Zoe Kravitz (Mad Max, X-Men: First Class), Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire), and Zoe Saldana fit here. Unfortunately all three are well into their twenties and look it. Maybe it would be better to go with a new young actress here of non-Caucasian background.

If I had to pick, I’d go with Zoe Kravitz.

Gurney Halleck – Stephen Dillane

This was the fun one. I came up with a list that included Hugo Weaving, Hugh Jackman, Stephen Dillane (Stannis from GoT), and Jerome Flynn (Bronn from GoT). Russell Crowe could be a fit here too but the role is probably too small for him. That same is probably true of Jackman.

My top choice is Stephen Dillane. He does the rugged warrior and leader very well. Flynn, also an actor from GoT would also be good here.

Vladimir Harkonnen

I’m not sure anyone could do it better than Ian McNeice, the man who filled the enormous role for the 2000 SyFy miniseries. It would be interesting to see Chris Christie give it a try too (not really). I can’t think of anyone still alive to do the role better than McNeice. Maybe someone should do it in a fat suit.

Feyd – Liam Hemsworth

A psychopathic pretty boy who is in great shape. Liam Hemsworth comes to mind here. Jai Courtney, Sam Worthington, and Tom Hardy are also possibilities. Since this role isn’t that big, the talent level doesn’t need to be elite. To best fit the younger age, I’d go with Hemsworth. Hardy is a little too old. Courtney or Worthington could do it but I don’t particularly like either of them.

Princess Irulan

For this one, Natalie Dormer (Hunger Games, GoT), Emma Stone, and Emily Kinney (Walking Dead) came to mind. Dormer has more than enough experience playing a princess. All three have shown the ability to be manipulative and intelligent in major roles. Amanda Seyfried is another possibility as well.

First choice is Natalie Dormer, second is Emily Kinney. Emma Stone doesn’t have the right look IMO. To really make waves, Mila Kunis or Amanda Seyfried could really boost interest.

 

Just for nostalgia, I’d have Patrick Stewart play Emperor Shaddam IV. I figure you need someone from the 1984 classic in there. If Sting is around, they should give him a role too

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