“Black Widow” star Florence Pugh is in talks for a key role in the upcoming sequel “Dune: Part Two” with production starting later this year…
With “Dune: Part Two” scheduled to get into production later this year under the watchful eye of director Denis Villeneuve, a key role for the upcoming sequel has nearly been filled.
Florence Pugh — most recently seen in Marvel’s “Black Widow” as well as the “Hawkeye” TV series on Disney+ — is in talks to join the cast playing Princess Irulan Corrino, the eldest daughter to Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV.
If Pugh’s deal is finalized, she would join a returning cast that includes Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem.
In the original books by author Frank Herbert, Princess Irulan is a pawn in her father’s battle to maintain power over his empire and she’s privy to his plans to topple House Atreides after making a pact with the villainous House Harkonnen. The princess is initially expected to marry Duke Leto Atreides’ son Paul in order to bring the two houses together but the Emperor decides otherwise and she’s eventually promised to Baron Vladimir Harkonnen’s nephew, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen.
Princess Irulan remains a key figure throughout many of the “Dune” stories, although it’s not clear if there will be future films beyond the planned sequel.
“Dune: Part Two” is expected to land in theaters on October 20, 2023 after the success that the first “Dune” film found this past year after earning more than $400 million at the worldwide box office. “Dune” has also been nominated for a number of Oscars including Best Picture.
The role would just be the latest in a series of high profile parts for Pugh, who is also starring in the upcoming Christopher Nolan film “Oppenheimer” as well as the highly anticipated thriller “Don’t Worry Darling” from director Olivia Wilde. Beyond her recent role in the Marvel film and TV series, Pugh was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the film “Little Women.”
Filming on “Dune: Part Two” is expected to start this summer ahead of the 2023 release date.
