Stellan Skarsgard Will Play The Villain In Dune

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Stellan Skarsgard is set to play the villain in Legendary’s upcoming Dune remake from director Denis Villeneuve. He joins a cast that includes Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson and Dave Bautista. The film begins production this spring in Budapest and Jordan.

The story is based on the novel by Frank Herbert. It follows a fallen noble family’s attempt to control a desert planet called Arrakis, which is home of a rare spice drug. They are eventually betrayed by a galactic emperior. Chalamet will play Paul Atreides, the son of the head of the family, who has to escape into the desert and team up with the nomadic tribes. He has enhanced mental abilities and eventually rules the tribes, as they believe he is their messiah. He eventually leads them in a battle to unseat the empire’s rule. Skarsgard will play Baron Harkonnen, who previously ruled the planet and hates the Atreides. He is the uncle to the character played by Bautista. Villeneuve wrote the script with Eric Roth and Jon Spaihts. He will also produce along with Mary Parent and Cale Boyter.