Summary
David Dastmalchian was a memorable part ofDune: Part 1, but he couldn’t be a part ofDune: Part 2for obvious reasons, much to the actor’s dismay.The cast ofDune: Part 1is massive considering the story’s scope, andDune: Part 2is somehow bigger. Even with all that character real estate,David Dastmalchian didn’t return for the film.Dune: Part 2picks up right whereDune: Part 1ended, throwing viewers back into the maelstrom of war, betrayals, and prophesy.
There werea significant number of deaths inDune: Part 1, and unfortunately for Dastmalchian, his character, Piter De Vriesis, is included in that list. Piter is a sadistic servant of Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård). Dastmalchian appears as the sneering Piter, and continues his rapid climb up the Hollywood ladder. His career has been defined by incredible acting performances as unnerving characters. He’s also worked with notable directors like Denis Villeneuve, and he was bummed out he didn’t have the chance to continue that relationship inDune: Part 2.
Every House & Faction In Dune Explained
After the first two installments of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, six major houses and factions primarily influence all the overarching story elements.
Dastmalchian Was Just Happy For Villeneuve’s Success And Wanted To See His Victory Lap
Piter is a sinister force all through the first half ofDune: Part 1, but his reign of weirdness is ended by Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac). In the Baron’s throne room, Leto releases a poisonous gas, killing everyone, save for the Baron, and that’s the last of Piter.He’s dead, just as Leto is, and sothere’d be no serious option to bring the character back forDune: Part 2. But that doesn’t mean Dastmalchian wasn’t a little sad about missing out on the second movie.
In an interview withCinemaBlend, Dastmalchian described his feelings about not being in the sequel,
“Feel a lot of FOMO right now for sure. I wish I could be there with my Harkonnen and even my Atreides friends and family, but most importantly, I wish I could be there with Denis [Villeneuve] and just see the pride in his eyes and the smile on his face as crowds and crowds and millions of people get to experience this incredible achievement that he has manifested.”
Anyone who has seen the press tour forDune: Part 2probably had a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out), as the cast and crew looked like they were having a very enjoyable time. Notably, Dastmalchian singled out Villeneuve as one of the big reasons he wanted to be on the tour.Villeneuve seems to be loved by his cast and crewand manages to get powerful performances from his actorsin everything from science fiction to dramatic thrillers.
In an interview withBBC Radio 1, Zendaya (Chani in theDunemovies) tells a hilarious story about Villeneuve’s directing style, which is much more laid back and casual than one might expect from a director capable of creating such complex stories. Skip to 7:40 in the video below.
Dastmalchian & Denis Villeneuve Have Collaborated On Three Movies
Dastmalchian Has Played Unnerving Characters In All His Villeneuve Film Performances
Dastmalchian has a special connection with Denis Villeneuve, having appeared in three of his movies:Prisonersas Bob Taylor, a suspect with a mental health condition;Blade Runner 2049as Coco, a chief medical examiner and coroner; andDune: Part 1as Piter De Vries.Prisonersis the film that launched Dastmalchian into the mainstream, and he’s one of the most upsetting characters in an already upsetting film. His least creepy character of the three Villeneuve collaborations is Coco in2049, but all of them are played with a certain distance, like the characters are hiding something.
Josh Brolin and Dave Bautista have also collaborated with Denis Villeneuve on three movies each.
It makes for effectively odd and off-putting characters. Dastmalchian says about Villeneuve in the interview,
“[Denis Villeneuve] is such a special human being. And I just wish I could be there to hug him and watch the movie with him with entire cinemas full of fans because I know, I know how much he’s given to make this thing happen. And I know that it has been, you know, his life’s work has led to this moment, and I’m so happy.”
Dune: Part 1(2021)
Piter De Vries
Dastmalchian had a packed schedule in 2023, appearing in seven movies, including a starring part inLate Night with the Devilas Jack Delroy and appearing in a critical role as William L. Borden inOppenheimer. While there isn’t any news about Dastmalchian and Villeneuve working together again, the pair almost certainly will. With his increased star power, it could be that Dastmalchian is in line to have a more major role in an upcoming film. The dust probably needs to settle fromDune: Part 2before either actor or director announces anything, however.
Dune: Part Two
Cast
Dune: Part Two continues the epic saga of Paul Atreides as he allies with Chani and the Fremen. Pursuing retribution for his family’s devastation, Paul grapples with a significant decision impacting his personal desires and the universe’s future, attempting to avert a dire destiny that only he anticipates.
