With Dune: Part One in the home stretch of its award-season campaign, Warner Bros and Legendary’s Dune: Part Two is ramping up its pre-production efforts, with sources telling Deadline that Florence Pugh is in negotiations to join the cast. While not confirmed, sources say she will play Princess Irulan Corrino, the eldest daughter to Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV. She would join returning cast members that include Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya and Josh Brolin, with director, producer and co-screenwriter Denis Villeneuve also returning.
Legendary had no comment. Production on the film is expected to start in the fall, with the film set to bow on October 20, 2023.
Even with Dune: Part One going day-and-date on HBO Max, the film was still able to thrive in theaters with an opening weekend of $41 million, which exceeded expectations and led to a quick greenlight for a sequel weeks later. The film has grossed $400 million at the worldwide box office to date including $108 million domestically. It also recently racked up nine Oscar nominations including for Best Picture.
As for Pugh, the Oscar-nominated actress is coming off a big year that included her introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Black Widow, where she played Natasha Romanoff’s sister, Yelena. She would reprise the role of Yelena in Marvel’s Hawkeye series and the character has quickly become a favorite among MCU fans.
She is currently filming Christopher Nolan’s anticipated Oppenheimer, which also stars Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon and Robert Downey Jr., and recently finished the Netflix pic The Wonder. She is repped by CAA, Brillstein Entertainment and Curtis Brown.
Saoirse Ronan would be a better pick.
It’s also funny to be complaining about Marvel movies while ensuring 85% of your cast has a profile from Marvel movies.
I think she will be perfect.
Good choice, but too little too late. Is anyone going to care about Dune in 20 months? They should have had faith in their product and had Part 2 ready to go, or shot both concurrently. As it stands, they made half a movie, and wanted to see how badly the public wanted the other half.
The answer: not much really.
Pfffft. Get back to me when Part II has an upwards of $100 million opening weekend just domestically and sweeps the Oscar nominations and many major awards. Yeah, we said it.
WTF are you rambling about… put the crack pipe down and chill. DUNE is masterpiece and can’t be and won’t be rushed.
my thoughts exactly, wtf is this guy talking about? people will care about it and hype will be there. Especially since it wont be a straight to HBO Max release again. it was WB’s and HBO’s lack of faith in Denis that created doubt in the franchise. seems like this guy doesnt understand what Denis is creating here.
Dune was a pretentious snore-fest. I’m embarrassed for you that you’re so easily impressed.
YES PLEASE!! Pugh is one of the most versatile and charismatic actresses ever.
Ew please god no