Dear Gossips,
A major casting rumour made the rounds yesterday, and it didn’t originate on TikTok. The source is legit – Deadline at first and then seconded by The Hollywood Reporter that Robert Pattinson will join the cast of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Messiah as the big bad, Scytale. I have not read any Dunes, I can barely understand the movies, I’m too stupid. I just show up for Zendaya, Timmy’s cheekbones, and the sandworm riding scenes, those are cool.
That said, a quick google search of Scytale tells me that this character is apparently a “Face Dancer”, which I’m guessing to mean a shapeshifter. And if that’s the case – yes, Robert Pattinson is perfect. He became famous for his face and people lusting over it and has spent the last 15 years twisting and stretching it into its weirdest possible forms. His voice too. If you need an example of this, watch The King which I’m referencing here for two reasons: RP’s hilariously demented performance and also the fact that should he actually be confirmed for Dune: Messiah, it would be the second time he and Timothée Chalamet play adversaries. Fitting since Timmy is arguably Robert’s cheekbone and jawline successor on the internet.
The villain in Dune: Part 2 was played by Austin Butler, rounding out the fab four of the top actors of their generation to be featured in the film, alongside Timmy, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh. Austin was terrifying in the role so for Messiah, obviously, they’re looking for someone just as formidable… who can also hit that pop culture sweet spot. Timmy, Zendaya, Flo, and Robert Pattinson on the press tour? That’s definitely the studio’s dream. But the deal isn’t done yet. Apparently there’s no offer on the table yet although if it does come through, in addition to working again with Timmy, it would be RP’s third straight project with Zendaya after The Drama and The Odyssey.
Speaking of Zendaya, I wrote a couple of weeks ago about her schedule and how 2026 could be a Zendaya domination … Zomination?, LOL, because she has The Odyssey and Spider-Man and Shrek and Euphoria and possibly Dune: Messiah. Deadline is repeating their reporting that Denis Villeneuve wants to begin production of Messiah this summer and release by the end of next year, even though they also say that he’s still finishing up the script. This seems ambitious but with all the money the Dunes have made so far, the studio, clearly, wants this out as soon as possible.
Yours in gossip,
Lainey
