Javier Bardem To Spit At Royalty In Denis Villeneuve’s Dune

 

Javier Bardem may eventually tell Muad’Dib about the wormsign outside the shield wall.
Deadline reports the actor is in talks to play Stilgar in Denis Villeneuve’s production of Dune. The classic Frank Herbert novel tells the tale of a planet famous for its multi-purpose energy source/consciousness-expanding drug. The indigenous people of that planet are known as the Fremen. They live in groups known as sietches and are skilled fighters despite the apparent domesticity of Fremen living in the few cities occupied by the Universal Empire.
Stilgar is the leader of Sietch Tabr and comes to the Royal Household to offer an alliance with House Atreides. Following his culture’s customs, he spits at Duke Leto (to be played by Oscar Isaac in the new film). The Duke interprets Stilgar’s offer of water on a desert planet as a sign of respect and high honor. Sadly, the partnership Stilgar and the Duke hope to form never comes to pass. Nonetheless, Stilgar becomes a trusted member of Paul Atreides’s (Timothee Chalamet) circle in the latter half of the novel.
Other members of the cast include Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Paul’s mother and Leto’s royal concubine, Stellan Skarsgard as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen — the principle antagonist — Dave Bautista as the Baron’s cruel nephew Rabban and Charlotte Rampling as the Reverend Mother Helen Gaius Mohiam, head of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood; the group which first planted the prophecy within Fremen society. Also, Zendaya is said to be in talks to play Chani, a Fremen warrior who become quite close to Paul.
Dune is not yet scheduled for release.