5 Most Audacious Changes Dune 2 Made to Original Book

Here are the five biggest changes in the Dune: Chapter Two movie made to the original book.

Alia Atreides is already grown up

While in the movie, we see Alia Atreides, who is played by Anya Taylor-Joy, only through the visions of the future. In the books, Lady Jessica actually gives birth to Alia, who is already born with all the knowledge of the adult Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother.

The death of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen

In the movie, Paul Atreides kills Baron, but in the book, it was Alia, Paul’s sister, who poisoned Vladimir. In Dune 2, much of Alia's screen time was cut, so it makes sense that Paul would kill the Baron instead.

Chani is not rebellious against Paul’s prophecy

In the books, there is not a single word about Chani being against the prophecy Paul is trying to fulfill. Moreover, she doesn’t leave Paul. At the end of the first book, she’s still with him.

Paul’s threat to destroy the spice melange

Paul threatens to destroy the spice melange, thus making transport between the planets impossible and effectively destroying civilization. In the movie, Paul makes it clear that he will use his father's nuclear arsenal and destroy the spice fields.

While in the book, he actually is going to use Water of Life to kill the sandworms that make the spice.

Princess Irulan’s role

Princess Irulan appears very briefly in the novel, though many passages are attributed to her, making her a sort of narrator. The movie plays with this idea by having Irulan open the film with an explanation of the world of Dune.

However, Dune 2 changes Irulan's role and gives her more to do throughout the movie, rather than using only voice-over narration.

For now, you can watch Dune: Chapter Two only in movie theaters. Refer to your local movie theater listings for specific Dune: Part Two showtimes.