Rumours are circling that Rebecca Ferguson is the most recent addition to the cast of Denis
Villeneuve’s Dune film adaptation. With roles in big franchises such as Mission Impossible, Ferguson
would rise to the challenge of playing a leading role in the eagerly anticipated adaptation of the biggest
sci-fi novel of all time.
Ferguson is set to play Lady Jessica, a badass, telepathic witch known as Bene Gesserit. Together with
Duke Leto and their son Paul, she rules over the desert planet Arrakis (a.k.a. ‘Dune’), where most of the
novel’s mind-blowing events take place.
So far, no director has successfully translated Frank Herbert’s epic novel to the big screen. David Lynch’s
1984 adaptation was negatively received by fans, while other adaptations were never completed due to
the difficulty in recreating the beloved characters, dazzling planets and colossal sand worms. Villeneuve,
however, has an impressive track-record when it comes to sci-fi films, as both Arrival and Blade Runner
2049 were met with critical acclaim. The cinematography and enormous scale of Blade Runner 2049
prove that if anyone stands a chance at bringing Dune to life, it’s Villeneuve.
Prolific rising star Timothée Chalamet will play the protagonist Paul Atreides. Chalamet’s recent
success in Call Me by Your Name and Lady Bird has catapulted him to fame, and his popularity and
talent will be invaluable for leading such a huge movie as Dune.
Villeneuve’s ambition for the film will surely pay off, even if it does take over two years to make as he
predicts. With the promising castings of Ferguson and Chalamet, it will be interesting to see who else
joins the ensemble to finally create a film that such a timeless novel deserves.
Words by Lucy Ingram