When “Dune: Part Two” star Stellan Skarsgård saw Austin Butler as the cruel and sadistic Feyd-Rautha, he laughed.
“I laughed so much because it was so obvious that he really enjoyed being evil,” Skarsgård told Variety at the premiere in New York City.
Butler’s Feyd-Rautha is the younger nephew and heir of Skarsgård’s Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. Butler studied Skarsgård’s voice performance in the first chapter to bring his version of Feyd-Rautha to life.
“It was like hearing an echo,” Skarsgård said of Butler’s voice in the film. “It was very, very precise.”
Set on the desert planet Arrakis, “Dune: Part Two” resumes the story of Paul Atreides, who joins forces with the Fremen to wage war against House Harkonnen. The second chapter stars an ensemble cast.
Walken was familiar with the world of “Dune” and found Villeneuve’s version different. Butler recalled seeing the 1984 feature as a kid and admired Sting’s portrayal of Feyd-Rautha.
Butler mentioned that he’s never met Sting before but that opportunity was fulfilled at the “Dune: Part Two” after-party.
Newcomer Seydoux felt a “bit anxious” joining the sci-fi franchise but found comfort in returning to the set and feeling like part of a family.
“It’s a book that Denis has wanted to adapt since he’s like a kid, so I really felt I was part of his dream,” Seydoux added. “He knew exactly what he wanted, he knew all the details, and everything was so precise.”
“Dune: Part Two” premieres in theaters Friday.
