The Characters of Dune
With the upcoming Denis Villeneuve film and high anticipation surrounding the movie, here are some details of the characters who will appear in Dune. There will be minimal level of spoilers.
Paul Atreides
Paul Atreides, portrayed by Timothee Chalamet, is the central character of Dune. He is the son of Duke Leto Atreides and Lady Jessica. As the sole child, he is raised to be the future leader of House Atreides and consequently the future leader of Dune. Paul Atreides travelling to the desert to unite the Fremen is reminiscent to Lawrence of Arabia.
Leto Atreides
Leto Atreides, played by Oscar Isaac, is the father of Paul Atreides. He is the head of House Atreides and a tested battle commander and is immensely popular among the various houses of the Landsraad. He has previously assisted House Ecaz in the fight against House Moritani after his bride-to-be was assassinated by the opposing force. This was visited in Paul of Dune.
Lady Jessica
Lady Jessica, played by Rebecca Ferguson, is the mother of Paul Atreides and the concubine of Leto Atreides. She is part of the Bene Gesserit, a female-only organisation with the goal to strive humanity towards the righteous path and frequently advise various people of power. Lady Jessica was tasked to bear a daughter for Leto Atreides, but she disregarded that order and ended up bearing a son due to his desire and her love for him.
Gurney Halleck
Gurney Halleck, portrayed by Josh Brolin, is the Warmaster of House Atreides. After being rescued by Leto Atreides from the Harkonnen slave pits, he has valiantly served the Atreides ever since and is a teacher to Paul Atreides. He also plays a balliset and regularly sings to Paul. And everyone around him.
Duncan Idhao
Ducan Idhaho, played by Jason Momoa, is the Swordmaster of House Atreides. He is also a bodyguard and teacher to Paul Atreides. He is one of the first to come into contact with the Fremen and introduces them to a delegation of Atreides on Arrakis. He is the most prominent character of the entirety of the Dune series. Speaking of the Fremen:
Stilgar
Stilgar, portrayed by Javier Bardem, is the the head or the Naib of a local group of Fremen. He first appears when Paul Atreides and Lady Jessica travel the desert and come across a Fremen tribe, with Stilgar being at the helm of the group and introducing them into their fold. Speaking of their encounter:
Chani
Paul Atreides also meets Chani. Played by Zendaya, she is a Fremen who later becomes Paul’s lover, i.e. a concubine. At one point, Paul accidentally proposes to Chani due to his lack of understanding of the Fremen culture. She is the daughter of Liet-Kynes:
Liet-Kynes
Liet-Kynes, portrayed by Sharon Duncan-Brewster, is the parent of Chani. She is the Imperial Planetologist of Dune and secret leader of the Fremen. She helps Paul Atreides and Lady Jessica to escape into the desert. Arguably the most controversial casting, she is suppose to be a male and was previously portrayed by the late Max von Sydow in the 1984 adaptation of Dune. Theories have suggested the father might be Stilgar with Liet-Kynes being the mother. She has only has primary influence in the first Dune novel.
