Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’ Will Have A More Empowered Take On Its Female Characters, Rebecca Ferguson Says
The praise brigade is back in full force forDenis Villeneuve’sDune, with starRebecca Fergusonrevealing that the director has given a more empowering update to the story’s female characters. Ferguson, who plays Jessica, the mother of the protagonist played byTimothee Chalamet, acknowledged that her character was created by authorFrank Herbertwhen men and women didn’t exactly have equal rights, but that Villeneuve’s upcoming sci-fi film will give a more progressive take on theDunefemale characters.
In an interview withComingSoon.netduring her promotions forDoctor Sleep, Ferguson revealed what longtime fans can expect of her depiction of Jessica, a mystical Bene Gesserit and concubine of Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) whose son Paul Atreides is the prophesied hero ofDune. But Ferguson says that she is doing more than simply lending her star power to playing a supporting character.
“[Dune]completely and utterly honors the strength of Jessica–the Bene Gesserit that she is, even though she is a concubine and her rights are not as high as the King or what her son becomes. Denis was very much aligned with creating empowerment and powerful moments for her where they were needed. I think Frank Herbert… when he wrote it he didn’t really live in an understandably equal environment. And the book is great! It has beautiful moments in it. It’s not really where we are or where we should be.”
As one of the Bene Gesserit, a mysterious order of women that have preternatural abilities (think of them as magic space witches), Jessica enters the story ofDuneas a force to be reckoned with. She plays a large part in the political intrigue that makes up the first half of the book, and is shown to be quite shrewd and capable. But in the second half, she does get relegated somewhat to mystic prophet status, as Paul steps up to be the “chosen one” of the story. However, her character was surprisingly progressive for a sci-fi book written in 1965. However, it makes sense too that Villeneuve would flesh out her character, with the oncomingDune: The SisterhoodTV series focusing on the Bene Gesserit. Whatever modern updates Villeneuve can add will be welcomed, as it would be a shame to waste Ferguson’s charisma and talent.
In addition to Ferguson, Chalamet, and Isaac,Dunealso starsJosh Brolin,Stellan Skarsgård,Dave Bautista,Zendaya,David Dastmalchian,Stephen Henderson,Charlotte Rampling,Jason Momoa, andJavier Bardem. The film is set to hit theatersNovember 20, 2020.
