Florence Pugh in Talks to Play a Vital Part in ‘Dune: Part Two’

Florence Pugh may be trading her nose ring for a filtplug. The Black Widow star is in talks for a major role in the highly anticipated Dune: Part Two, the follow-up to 2021’s Dune. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning just over $400 million worldwide and garnering 10 Academy Award nominations. The first film’s stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, and more are already signed on for the sequel.

Warner Bros. is currently casting for three new major parts, which include Emperor Shaddam IV and Feyd-Rautha, the nephew of Baron Harkonnen. Pugh is in contention to play the Emperor’s daughter, Princess Irulan, a member of the Bene Gesserit. Irulan is strong-willed and ambitious, and becomes a romantic interest for Paul Atreides.

As one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actresses, Pugh already has a packed schedule. She is one of the top choices for the upcoming Madonna biopic (helmed by Madonna herself). Pugh just wrapped Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling, and has been cast in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer film.

And then there’s her future work in the Marvel cinematic universe as rising Avenger Yelena Belova. Pugh made her MCU debut as Natasha Romanoff’s little sister in Black Widow, reprising her role last winter in the Disney+ series Hawkeye. While Pugh has yet to be cast in a specific film or series, Yelena is a breakout fan-favorite and will likely appear in multiple future projects for the MCU.

And it’s not just Pugh’s schedule that could delay the Dune sequel. Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine could easily halt any planned production in Eastern Europe, most specifically in Hungary, where the first film was shot and where director Denis Villeneuve planned to shoot the second chapter.

While the news isn’t official yet, Pugh would make a fantastic addition the the film’s already stacked cast. Dune: Part Two is expected to hit theaters October 23, 2023.

(via The Hollywood Reporter, image: Disney/Marvel)

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Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

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