Paul Atreides’ Endgame & What It Sets Up

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Dune: Part Two!

Summary

• Paul’s fate brings inevitable power and tragedy, setting up a Holy War in Dune: Part Two’s ending.
• Chani’s unexpected decision and Paul’s ascension set the stage for Dune 3, teasing a potential Dune: Messiah adaptation.
• Dune 2’s real theme is the danger of power, as Paul’s rise to rule leads to a tragic and conflicted ending.

Dune: Part Two delivers an epic ending to Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s first book, setting the stage for the franchise’s continued expansion. The sequel picks up after Dune 2021’s ending and shows the journey of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he becomes part of the Fremen culture and struggles with the Lisan al Gaib prophecy. Dune 2‘s story primarily focuses on Chani (Zendaya) and Paul’s relationship as they go to war against House Harkonnen for the fate of Arrakis. This is complicated by Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) spreading the belief that her son is the Fremen’s messiah.

By the time that Dune 2‘s ending comes to a head, the movie recenters itself around Paul’s challenge to become the new Emperor. This includes launching a full-scale attack against the Harkonnens, ending with Paul killing Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) and fighting his nephew, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen (Austin Butler), for the chance to rule. What transpires is exactly what Paul feared the most from his visions of the future. That means a rather tragic nature to how Dune 2 ends and where it leaves the story for a possible third film adapting Dune: Messiah.

Paul’s Plan To Become Emperor & Save Arrakis Explained

Paul Becomes The Lisan Al Gaib

The crux of Dune 2‘s ending revolves around Paul Atreides accepting his fate as the Fremen’s Lisan al Gaib, the savior of Arrakis, and a conquering Emperor over the entire known universe. Chalamet’s character struggles with this result for much of the film, as he has visions of the bloodshed that comes at his hand if he heads south on Arrakis. Paul prefers to prove himself to the Fremen and help them liberate themselves. That is complicated by the unwavering faith Stilgar (Javier Bardem) has in him and Jessica fueling beliefs of the prophecy within the Fremen culture.

Despite fighting the reality that he must go south, drink the Water of Life, and become the Lisan al Gaib, Paul’s hand is forced when Feyd-Rautha destroys the Fremen’s north seitch. Paul’s plan is to obtain the full breadth of the Bene Gesserit powers by drinking the Water of Life. He knows that his miraculous accomplishment will bring the support of the entire Fremen population behind him. This gives him unequaled power on Arrakis, as the Fremen’s Fedaykin army is more than strong enough to overtake the Harkonnens with the aid of the House Atreides atomic weapons.

It is thanks to this power that Paul can challenge Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken), revealing that he is alive, which brings him to Arrakis for war. There are two steps to Paul’s plan to overthrow the Emperor from here. The first is asking to marry his daughter, Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh), so that the Corrino bloodline will still be in power. The next step is fighting Feyd-Rautha as Shaddam’s champion. Paul killing Feyd-Rautha means an end to the immediate Harkonnen ruling bloodline and a natural pathway to replacing Shaddam, even if the Great Houses do not accept the result.

Through these actions, Paul ascends to a new level of power. He liberates Arrakis from Harkonnen rule by putting himself in charge, simultaneously amassing more power for House Atreides and avenging his father’s death. Paul becomes the appointed leader of House Atreides, the Fremen’s savior as Lisan al Gaib, and the Emperor of the known universe. It is the ultimate fulfillment of Paul’s Dune 2 visions of him ruling with the backing of a religious jihad and the knowledge that this will only result in a galactic war responsible for the death of billions.

Dune
was previously adapted in 1984 and in 2000, but neither adaptation has adapted Frank Herbert’s entire series of novels.

Dune’s Holy War With The Great Houses Explained

Paul’s Ascension Begins A War

One of the final moments of Dune 2‘s ending is Jessica’s proclamation that a “Holy War” is beginning. The Fremen’s new Reverend Mother makes the comment after watching Paul’s army begin boarding ships to go to war with the Great Houses. He instructs Stilgar, Gurney (Josh Brolin), and others to storm to battle in his name after word comes back that the remaining Great Houses will not honor Paul’s ascension to Emperor. Using the full force of his army, Paul’s command marks the beginning of a war that will spread across the galaxy, bringing honor and respect to his rule.

This Holy War that Dune 2 sets up is the realization of some of Paul’s earliest visions from the previous 2021 movie. He had dreams at the time of a “holy war spreading across the universe like unquenchable fire.” This is the result of the Fremen’s belief in him as their Lisan al Gaib, converting the army into a religious jihad that will stop at nothing to have their messiah recognized. It is through this movement that billions will die fighting back against Paul’s claim to rule or refusing to accept the Fremen’s religious beliefs.

The story of this Holy War plays in Dune 2 as a piece of setup for Dune 3. It is true that the events of the war will have major repercussions on what is to come, but the actual conquering of the universe will not be the focus of a third film. The Dune: Messiah story skips past this point in Paul’s life, focusing on him as a powerful and seasoned Emperor, but Dune 2 still teases the development as a way to show the beginning of Paul’s rule.

Why Paul Atreides Agrees To Marry Princess Irulan At The End Of Dune 2

He Follows His Head, Not His Heart

Paul’s decision to marry Princess Irulan is a political power move in Dune 2‘s ending. His desire to overthrow Emperor Shaddam meant concocting a plan that would end with him on the throne. However, he knew that the old Emperor would not willingly give away his power after Shaddam tried to destroy House Atreides. Paul realized that the best path forward was to take Irulan to be his wife. This would give the Emperor the satisfaction that his bloodline would remain in power, even if he is not. Irulan accepts her position and agrees to marry Paul in Dune 2.

This decision by Paul goes against everything he has said previously in regard to his relationship with Chani. He repeatedly confesses his love for her, including right before he proposes the marriage to Irulan. Paul’s decision is ultimately driven by his head instead of his heart. Chani has his heart, but marrying her does not give him any political gain. He’s already ascended to leadership with the Fremen. Marrying Princess Irulan, on the other hand, is Paul’s easiest path to becoming Emperor, as his ascension happens without more peacefully. This makes Paul more powerful than ever before.

What Florence Pugh Has Said About Princess Irulan’s Dune 2 Ending

Florence Pugh’s reaction to Dune 2‘s ending for Princess Irulan is insightful in terms of how viewers can process her decision too. The actress mentioned to Comicbook that she saw the scene as the moment “she realizes her power and her position going forward,” knowing that this is a transactional experience for Irulan and Paul. Pugh also believes Irulan catches Chani’s reaction to the entire ordeal, giving her insight into the marriage proposal, noting, “It doesn’t feel good.” Ultimately, it’s a moment that makes Pugh “ready for what’s going to happen next” in a potential sequel.

Why Chani Leaves Paul & Where She Is Going

Chani’s Story Changes From The Book

One of the big surprises that comes in the conclusion is how Denis Villeneuve changes Dune 2‘s book story for Chani. She spends the entirety of the movie questioning and not believing in the Lisan al Gaib prophecy, even as she falls in love with Paul. A big departure from the source material occurs when Chani leaves after Paul’s ascension to Emperor takes place. She leaves Paul after he takes Irulan to be his wife even after he professes that he will always love her. The apparent betrayal and how Paul begins his rule fly against what Chani wants.

Leaving Paul means Dune 2 ends with Chani preparing to ride a sandworm with her destination unclear. Since Villeneuve changed the book for this story development, Frank Herberg’s novel does not answer where she is going. It is possible that Chani has decided to leave Paul permanently so she can venture off on her own, retaining her ways as a Fremen free of his control. This would bring only bigger changes to the story for a potential Dune: Messiah adaptation. That means it’s possible she calls the sandworm to clear her head, but where Chani goes is ultimately ambiguous.

What Zendaya & Denis Villeneuve Have Said About Chani’s Dune 2 Ending

Thankfully, Zendaya and Denis Villeneuve have both shared their thoughts on Chani’s ending in Dune 2. Speaking to Comicbook, Zendaya emphasized the “heartbreak” that comes with Chani’s story and role in the ending. When discussing Paul proposing to Irulan, Zendaya described Chani’s mindset as “There’s heartbreak, there’s betrayal, there’s loss and confusion. I feel like it’s a quite painful ending.” She went on to note that the film does not leave audiences in a spot where they feel like someone won, with Chani’s isolation symbolic of the “broken dreams and hearts” that came from the war.

Denis Villeneuve also has explained Chani’s importance in Dune 2‘s ending. He told Inverse that the entire movie is built around Chani and Paul’s love story, and that the tragedy had to be told through Chani’s eyes to be effective. Changing perspectives from Paul to Chani was “a very important shift” for the movie that allowed audiences a chance to see Paul’s actions through the lens of the person he is most betraying. He said, “It’s very tragic [that he will] lose everything and betray the people he loved.” Chani’s point of view is imperative to that resonating with audiences.

Is Paul Atreides A Villain At The End Of Dune 2?

Paul Atreides’ Ending Is A Tragedy

Denis Villeneuve centers Dune 2 around the inevitability of Paul becoming the Lisan al Gaib, and it is through this lens that the movie portrays the tragic nature of Paul becoming a villain. The movie makes it clear from early on that Paul does not believe that he is the prophesied savior of the Fremen, nor does he want to be. Everything Paul says and does is to counteract that outcome, as he fears this result thanks to his visions. He knows that following the Fremen to the south will turn him into a messiah figure and start a war.

By establishing how much Paul does not want to be Lisan al Gaib, Dune 2 ultimately turning him into this villainous presence becomes all the more tragic. He has to accept that there is nothing he can do to stop this outcome, forcing him to become the thing he hated and begin mass genocide. It’s true that Paul fully embraces his power and influence as Lisan al Gaib once the inevitable comes, but there are also several reminders that this is not what he wants. He is only doing what he knows must be done to save Arrakis.

One of the key ways that Dune 2 brings this to fruition is through Paul and Chani’s relationship. He reinforces his love for her repeatedly, hoping that she will understand the decisions he has to make to protect her, the Fremen, and Arrakis. The fact that she still leaves at the end suggests the chance that he could lose her. Becoming a ruler of this magnitude comes at the cost of his ultimate happiness. This does not make any of Paul’s villainous moments any more forgivable, but it does help Dune 2 properly convey the nature of Paul Atreides’ arc.

What Denis Villeneuve Has Said About Paul’s Dune 2 Ending

Paul’s ending in Dune 2 is exactly what Denis Villeneuve hoped to accomplish when adapting Frank Herbert’s book. Denis Villeneuve explained Dune 2‘s ending following the film’s release, as he told Inverse about his intentions with Paul’s arc and final decisions. He did not want to risk audiences perceiving his sequel as a white savior story, which was part of the reaction to Herbert’s original novel at the time. The director summed up Paul’s ending by saying “he will become what he was trying to fight against” due to his decisions.

How Dune 2’s Ending Is Different From The Book

Villeneuve’s Movie Made Some Notable Changes

Dune 2 is a fairly accurate adaptation of the second half of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi novel, just as the 2021 film was a faithful portrayal of the first half. However, the sequel does still make some changes to the book through its ending. Chani’s story is one of the biggest ways Dune 2 changes the book, including having her leave Paul. In the book, she stands by him, accepting her place as Paul’s true love even if he is legally married to Irulan for political power.

Dune 2‘s ending is also inherently different from the book based on characters that are missing or are changed. The decision to change how Alia Atreides (Anya Taylor-Joy) factors into the story meant someone else had to kill Baron Harkonnen, with Paul being responsible for killing him. There is also no late death of Thufir Hawat since the character is missing from the movie. Furthermore, how Paul kills Feyd-Rautha is different, as well as Feyd not trying to use a hidden poisoned blade to kill Paul.

Is Dune 3 Confirmed? Everything We Know

Dune 2’s Sequel Is In Development

Dune 2‘s ending leaves the door open for more, and the good news is that plans for Dune 3 are already underway. Denis Villeneuve teased his intention to make an entire Dune trilogy even before the sequel came out. This included confirming that a script adapting Dune: Messiah was already being worked on, and it was nearly finished as of December 2023. The director repeatedly emphasized his dream of finishing the trilogy with another movie, but any official announcement had to wait until after Dune: Part Two‘s release to ensure that the box office would not underperform.

It was confirmed that Dune 3 is in development in April 2024. The news came as Denis Villeneuve set up another movie at Legendary, and the reports noted that the director and studio are already at work on Dune 3. Villeneuve has hinted that the sequel could still take some time as he works on other projects to get a break from the sci-fi franchise and to ensure that the third film will be as great as possible. There is no Dune 3 release date announced. It is expected that Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and others will return.

How Dune 2 Sets Up Dune 3

A Dune: Messiah Adaptation Is Teased

Dune 2‘s ending might bring the franchise to the end of Herbert’s first book, but there is room for expansion, with Dune 3 teases coming throughout the movie. A third film would adapt Herbert’s second novel, Dune: Messiah, which takes place 12 years later with Paul firmly established as the Emperor of the universe. This is where the tease of the “holy war” will be important for Dune 3. The war itself might not be the focus of a third film, but it will provide members of other Great Houses with the motivation to create a plot to overthrow him.

Paul’s proposal to marry Irulan is another key aspect of Dune 3‘s story that audiences are already aware of by the time Dune 2 concludes. She will be Paul’s wife in the threequel, but the relationship is with title only, as Paul still loves Chani and is with her in the book. Chani’s ending raises questions about how Dune 3 will tell all aspects of this story, as the love triangle between Paul, Chani, and Irulan is an intrinsic piece of the puzzle. In any case, Villeneuve will have to show the three characters and their complex relationships to adapt Dune: Messiah properly.

Another rather significant piece of Dune 3 setup in Dune 2 comes through the casting of Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides. Paul’s younger sister plays a significant role in Dune: Messiah, so Villeneuve’s decision to cast a rising star foreshadows what will come. The expectation is that Anya Taylor-Joy will return in Dune 3 to bring Alia to life in a much larger capacity. Even her presence in a vision of the future where the seas are on Arrakis helps set up how different the world will be in a sequel.

The Real Meaning Of Dune 2’s Ending

Paul’s Story Conveys The Movie’s Main Themes

For all the blockbuster action included in Denis Villeneuve’s sequel, Dune 2‘s ending properly conveys the real meaning of the movie that the filmmaker wants to get across. The film is ultimately about the danger of power, as evident through Paul’s ascension. The dangers of this are not solely explored through what Paul’s newfound power means for him, but also through what it means for the galaxy as a result of his fanatical religious followers. Dune: Part Two ending with Paul freeing one group, the Fremen, while unleashing oppression upon everyone else is the ultimate portrayal of these ideas.

Sources: Comicbook, Inverse