Did You Hear? is a weekly examination of headlines in the entertainment industry and a take on what they could mean for the future of the industry and (often), the little geeky bubble that we occupy!
Leto II and Ghanima are Here
On Tuesday Variety broke some casting news about the upcoming Dune: Messiah and Children of Dune installments in the film franchise adapting Frank Herbert’s legendary science fiction novel series.
I’m going to tell you right here right, right now, I’m not going to spoil the events of upcoming movies, however, Dune book series readers already understand the weight of Leto II and Ghanima’s casting in a way that Spoilerties who have only experienced Villeneuve’s two films cannot.
Leto II could, arguably, be considered the most important character in all of Frank Herbert’s Dune … and all of the additional Dune lore added by his son Brian Herbert.
To the news:
Nakoa-Wolf Momoa (son of Jason Mamoa, who already plays Duncan Idaho in the Dune film series), has been cast as Leto II in his first film role alongside Ida Brooke (my fellow Spoilerites probably recognize her from Apple TV+’s Silo series), as Ghanima in the upcoming currently being referred to in public as simply “Dune 3.”
TL;DR Leto II (yes, indeedy named after Paul’s father, Duke Leto, who was played by Oscar Isaac in the first Dune film), and Ghanima are the twin children of Paul Atreides and Chani. They, alongside Alia Atreides (Paul’s younger sister who we’ve seen played by Anya Taylor-Joy in a flash forward briefly in Dune II), are the focal characters of Dune: Messiah (the second book), and Children of Dune (the third book.)
What’s particularly interesting about the casting of these two characters, beyond the impact they have in the larger world of Dune, is that series director Denis Villneuve has stated repeatedly that he will be leaving the world of “Dune Arrakis Desert Planet” which opens the door for future directors to get their hands on it.
Variety confirms:
“It’s expected that Villeneuve’s third and final Dune film will adapt Herbert’s novel Dune Messiah, set 12 years after the events of Dune, which follows Atreides’ struggles with the consequences of his Fremen-led jihad upon his ascension to Emperor Muad’Dib. A release date and official title for the new film haven’t yet been disclosed.”
I point this out to further conjecture: are Nakoa-Wolf Momoa and Ida Brooke Villeneuve’s choices or were they eyed up by – or in collaboration with – whoever is stepping up to bat next? I’ll further further conjecture that we’re getting two relative unknowns in these roles because the Dune movies have to have some of the most expense casts of all time. Everyone in Hollywood is in these movies. I think even I am in Dune at this point. Realistically, looking at the budget (which include the aforementioned Anya Taylor-Joy as well as Florence Pugh in significant role in the third installment), I don’t see a Universe where Leto II and Ghanima would be portrayed by names.
At first blush I am also led to wonder: what deal did Jason Mamoa strike to get his son in a position to play Leto II? Or perhaps the agency or managers or team which undoubtedly represents both Mamoas.
I’ll step back to be a bit vague and dodge spoilers here: Dune book readers are blinking right along with me. 
Is two Mamos one Mamos too many? Given the characters being played?
… for fear of ruining the future of the film franchise I’ll leave it at that.
While this is the first new bit of casting news we’ve had out of Dune in a while, Variety added:
“Robert Pattinson entered talks for a villain role in the threequel earlier this year, as we were first to report.”
So, perhaps the budget-saving casting measures aren’t long for this world.
