UPDATE Aug. 20: The role is now drawing awards attention. A source tells us Pattinson is “in top form and a strong early Oscar favorite” for Dune 3, which would be the first acting nomination the franchise has ever landed. Follow every update at our Dune: Part Three hub.
UPDATE: The Dune: Part Three trailer confirms Pattinson as Scytale. Images have been updated to reflect the confirmation.
Robert Pattinson is reportedly being eyed to play the main villain for Denis Villeneuve in Dune 3.
According to the trades, Pattinson is being discussed internally as no offer has gone out yet to the actor.
THR adds that Robert Pattinson has been circling the role of the main villain, possibly Scytale from the Frank Herbert novels.
Who is Scytale?
Without getting into spoiler territory, Scytale is a shape-shifting Face Dancer from the secretive Tleilaxu society in Dune. He’s a master infiltrator and key conspirator against Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalame) in the third book, Dune Messiah, using deception and genetic manipulation to challenge the empire.
What about The Batman 2?
Pattinson is currently filming The Odyssey in Europe for Christopher Nolan.
Of course, with Pattinson being looked at for another film, the question about The Batman 2 comes up. Pattinson recently told fans that he expects to start filming The Batman: Part II with Matt Reeves after The Odyssey at the end of the year.
However, The Batman 2 has already seen a significant amount of delays, and it has been said that Matt Reeves still has yet to finish the script.
Update: The Batman: Part II is now filming.
Warner Bros. has since moved The Batman Part II again, to February 18, 2028, citing post-production. Pattinson wrapped Dune 3 well ahead of that, and the movie is locked for December 18, 2026.
