Summary
Although a box office and critical success, the second part of Denis Villeneuve’sDuneadaptation—Dune: Part Two—sparked curiosity among fans of author Frank Herbert’s original novel series regarding the presence of one major character: Alia Atreides.Alia, the younger sister of Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreidesand portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy, briefly appeared in a dream sequence but was largely omitted from the film. This exclusion, although seemingly minor in Villeneuve’s current vision of theDunefranchise, will ultimately have massive consequences.
Whereas Taylor-Joy’s Alia remained largely in utero inPart Two, her book counterpart played a large part in not only the sequels, but in the original novel as well. As the younger sister of the Kwisatz Haderach, Alia was born a full Reverend Mother and an Abomination after having been exposed to the Water of Life while in the womb. Her innate abilities pushed her to the forefront of the forthcoming Atreides Empire, but her absence fromPart Twoleaves the future of Villeneuve’s franchise in murky waters.
How Dune 3’s Alia Story Is Slyly Teased In Paul’s Dune 2 Beach Vision
EXCLUSIVE: Dune: Part Two cinematographer Greig Fraser explains how Paul’s vision of his sister Alia slyly teases her story in Part Three.
Alia Was A Key Player In Herbert’s Dune Series
Alia Wielded A Lot Of Power In The Books
As the sister of Paul Atreides, Alia played a key role in the creation and ultimate longevity of the Atreides Empire. It is noted by the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV that Alia was in command of an attacking group of Fremen rebels. Alia also killed hermaternal grandfather, Baron Harkonnen, by pricking him with a poisonous gom jabbar. This differs fromPart Two’s interpretation of the Baron’s death, as it is Paul who kills him, not Alia. Furthermore, Alia kills fallen Sarduakar and Harkonnen soldiers with a crysknife, earning her the title “St. Alia of the Knife.” Again, the movie presents a very different version of events.
Alia played a key role in the creation and ultimate longevity of the Atreides Empire.
Alia’s influence extends beyond the originalDunenovel. InDune Messiah, 12 years after the conclusion of the first book, Alia is named Regent and the guardian of Paul and Chani’s children—Leto II and Ghanima—following a blinded Paul’s exile into the desert. Because of her immense power as Reverend Mother and as the ruler of the Atreides Empire, Alia is worshiped by the Fremen.
However, during her reign, Alia progressively becomes more devious and power-hungry as she succumbs to Abomination, leading her to be possessed by Baron Harkonnen—his revenge for her part in his death. In the conclusion ofChildren of Duneand following Paul’s death, Alia regains control of her body from the Baron,secedes control of the empire to Leto II, and throws herself from a window to her death. Her prevailing influence throughout the story highlights that she is a very significant character in Herbert’s version of theDuneuniverse. As a result, her absence from the movie creates a potential problem.
Alia’s Absence Will Force Villeneuve To Get Creative
Her Actions Were Given To Paul In The Movie
Though the awakening of Alia’s mind in utero was a prominent aspect ofPart Two, Villeneuve’s decision to compress the timeline—thereby keeping Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) pregnant and putting more pressure on Paul—forced him to reassign aspects of Alia’s role to Paul, specifically the death of Baron Harkonnen. This presents a problem for Alia’s characterization inPart Three, since Alia’s role in the Baron’s death is a key aspect of her later development.
In an interview withEntertainment Weekly, Villeneuve acknowledged that the decision was “a strong curve that we took, but I felt that it was very close to the spirit of the book.” He added that by compressing the timeline and having Lady Jessica speak to the sentient fetus, “It was a way to more precisely express how Alia becomes this abomination.” Although there are currently no plans to adaptChildren of Dune, the threat of Alia succumbing to Abomination via the persona of the Baron is one that looms over her story.
Alia’s absence also raises questions regarding the timeline ofPart Three. Whereas inDune Messiah, Alia is a teenager, Taylor-Joy was 26 whilst filmingPart Two. It is unclear what Villeneuve has planned for Taylor-Joy’s character, but her age and large absence during the majority ofPart Twowill ultimately affect the direction of Villeneuve’sDunefranchise. EitherTaylor-Joy plays a teenage or pre-teen AliainPart Three, Villeneuve drastically extends the timeline, or Alia is recast with a younger actress. All three options represent a major change for the story.
Alia Isn’t The Only Change That Will Affect The Future Of The Dune Franchise
Dune Part Two Put Alia’s Character At Risk
Alia’s absence is not the only change Villeneuve made that will complicate the future ofDune. Chani, played by Zendaya, was last seen leaving Paul as he sent his Fremen warriors to engage in a Holy War against theGreat Houses of the galaxy. This differs from Herbert’s original novel, in which Chani passively remains by Paul’s side as his concubine.
Paul and Chani’s romanceis a central aspect of Herbert’sDuneseries. The rivalry between Chani and Princess Irulan for Paul’s affections inMessiahis what leads to the birth of Leto II and Ghanima, Chani’s death, Paul’s exile, and Alia’s ascension.Chani abandoning Paulat the end ofDune:Part Twothreatens to erase the points around whichMessiahrevolves. It leaves not only Chani and Irulan’s fates in the balance, but Alia’s as well.
