Austin Butler Discusses Transformation and Research for Dune: Part Two Role

The actor Austin Butler, known for his role in the film Dune: Part Two, recently shared insights about his character, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Butler described Feyd-Rautha as “ugly and bald” during a discussion panel for his new Apple TV+ series, Masters of the Air. Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen is the villainous nephew of the evil Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, portrayed by Stellan Skarsgård, and serves as the ruthless adversary to the hero Paul Atreides, played by Butler.

However, Butler’s transformation for the role is so drastic that he is barely recognizable. During an interview with Josh Horowitz on his Happy Sad Confused podcast, Butler mentioned that he drew inspiration from animals like snakes and sharks for his portrayal. He also researched cultures that have been bred in brutality to understand the mindset of someone born in such circumstances. Butler wanted to go beyond playing a caricature and explore the complex nature of a person who resorts to violence for survival.

The first film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi novel, Dune, directed by Denis Villeneuve, concluded with Paul Atreides fleeing from the Harkonnens. In the upcoming Dune: Part Two, Paul embarks on a mythical journey seeking revenge against those responsible for his family’s demise while also facing the dilemma of choosing between the love of his life, Chani, portrayed by Zendaya, and the fate of the universe.

Dune: Part Two boasts an impressive cast, including Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Tim Blake Nelson, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem. Some of these actors are reprising their roles from the first film, while others are new additions. It’s worth noting that this is not the first time Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen has appeared on the big screen. In the 1984 version of Dune, directed by David Lynch, the character was portrayed by Sting alongside Kyle MacLachlan’s Paul.