The next installment in Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures' Dune saga is coming together. Denis Villeneuve returns to direct Dune 3, bringing back stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Anya Taylor-Joy. Now, reports suggest Robert Pattinson could be joining the ensemble for a key villainous role in the upcoming sequel. It appears The Batman might not be Pattinson's only major Warner Bros. franchise contribution after all.

The Mystery Character

While specifics remain under wraps, industry insiders hint Pattinson will portray a central antagonist. Given where Dune: Part Two concluded and the trajectory established in Frank Herbert's novels, let's examine the most likely candidates for Pattinson's potential character.

Scytale

If Dune 3 primarily adapts Dune Messiah (while saving Children of Dune for future films), Scytale emerges as the probable choice - a suspicion reinforced by Hollywood insiders. This cunning shapeshifter from the Bene Tleilax serves as Messiah's primary villain, masterminding a conspiracy against Emperor Paul Atreides.

The brilliance of this potential casting lies in how it showcases Pattinson's range - offering him the rare chance to play an out-and-out antagonist after his heroic turns in other franchises. Moreover, the character's arc leaves ample room for future appearances in the expanding Dune universe.

Leto II Atreides

The resemblance between Pattinson and Chalamet sparks intriguing possibilities about another Atreides family member - Paul's son Leto II. While Messiah portrays Leto II as an infant, director Villeneuve has shown willingness to play with timeline expectations (as evidenced by Anya Taylor-Joy's Alia cameos in Part Two).

Should subsequent films materialize, this role would allow Pattinson to eventually embody one of the saga's most compelling characters - the God-Emperor himself. What fan wouldn't want to see Pattinson transformed into that iconic human-sandworm hybrid?

Prince Farad'n

Should Dune 3 incorporate elements from Children of Dune, Prince Farad'n offers another fascinating option. The dispossessed Corrino heir presents a more nuanced antagonist - less bloodthirsty conqueror and more reluctant participant in his family's ambitions. Pattinson could bring remarkable depth to this complex character torn between duty and personal desires.

A Wildcard Possibility

Given Villeneuve's creative deviations from the novels (particularly with Zendaya's Chani), another compelling theory emerges: Pattinson might portray an entirely original character. Perhaps a prominent member of Chani's dissident Fremen faction - serving as both ideological counterpoint to Paul and potential romantic rival for Chani's affections.

This approach would allow the filmmakers to explore the franchise's themes while crafting fresh narrative territory. Imagine Pattinson as a charismatic revolutionary opposing Paul's holy war - someone who challenges not through physical might but philosophical conviction.

Cast your prediction below and join the speculation about Dune 3's newest potential star:

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