Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Dune: Part Two!
Summary
Dune: Part Twocut one key Gurney scene from the books, and while many fans may not have noticed it, this alteration changes Paul’s book story in a major way. DespiteDenis Villeneuve’sDunemovie adaptations being fairly faithful to the books, they do make some changes, with characters like Chani getting greatly expanded on in the film versions. While most of Villeneuve’s alterations comes down to adding content or making minor tweaks to some details, he did cut a major Gurney scene from the books, with thishaving a massive effect on the world ofDune: Part Two.
Played by actor Josh Brolin,Gurney Halleck made his surprise return inDune: Part Two, with him running into Paul during a raid on a spice harvester. Learning that Paul wants to use the Fremen to fight back against House Harkonnen, Gurney tells Paul of a stock of atomic warheads that House Atreides left behind on Arrakis, with them deciding that this is a great way to take the new rulers of Arrakis down. Gurney then lives among the Fremen, and while he is around for the rest ofDune: Part Two, one of his biggest book storylines was cut.
Dune: Prophecy Season 1 - Everything You Need To Know
Dune: Prophecy is a spinoff series from the popular movie franchise and this is everything you need to know about the show’s first season.
Dune 2 Cut Gurney Trying To Kill Jessica
It Wasn’t Featured At All
Gurney makes a surprising choice in theDunebook that Villeneuve cut fromDune: Part Two, as the movie doesn’t feature Gurney’s attempted assassination of Lady Jessica. Shortly after finding Paul and Lady Jessica, Gurney makes a shocking choice, with him pressing a knife up against Jessica’s back as he prepares to kill her. As it turns out, Gurney still believes that Lady Jessica was thetraitor who betrayed Duke Leto, with Gurney attempting to get her to confess before he kills her for her purported treason. Luckily, Gurney doesn’t go through with it.
Paul is able to talk Gurney out of killing Lady Jessica, with him explaining that Dr. Yueh was the one who betrayed House Atreides. Gurney then realizes that this is true and, out of shame for attempting to kill Lady Jessica, tells Paul to kill him. Paul forgives Gurney, understanding that his actions stemmed from an honest attempt to avenge Duke Leto. However, Gurney’s attempted assassination of Jessica does set off a chain of events that leads to one ofDune’s biggest moments, something that is missing from the movie.
Dune: Part Twofeatures no reference to Gurney’s attempted assassination of Lady Jessica,with this being cut from the movie entirely. Although there has been no official explanation as to why this assassination storyline was cut, it does get rid of a major motivation for Gurney, with him playing less of a role inDune: Part Twooverall due to its absence.
Is Dune 3 The Last Movie In Denis Villeneuve’s Saga?
Even though Dune 3 has been confirmed, it’s unknown if it will be the final film in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune saga.
Why Gurney’s Assassination Attempt Is So Important In The Book
It Leads To Paul Drinking The Water Of Life
Gurney’s attempted assassination of Lady Jessica is a big deal in the originalDune, as it pushes Paul to make an important decision that changes everything. Although Paul does forgive Gurney for his attempt on Lady Jessica’s life, Paul is fearful afterwards, not understanding why none of the possible futures that he saw included Gurney becoming violent and betraying him. Paul knows that missing major choices like this could have a huge impact on his plan, and thanks toGurney’s assassination attempt, Paul decides to take a drastic measure in order to not miss any more potential dangers.
Paul’s lack of foresight as to Gurney’s betrayal is what finally pushes him over the edge, with this being key in his decision todrink the Water of Life. Paul knows that drinking the Water of Life will increase his prescience, meaning that he can forsee and prevent future threats like that of Gurney’s attempted assassination of Lady Jessica. Although Paul knows that drinking the Water of Life could lead to some problems down the road, he thinks that it is necessary to protect his people, with Gurney being the catalyst of everything that comes after.
7 Dune Prequels That Would Make The Franchise Even Better
Dune is an incredible and epic franchise that is rapidly expanding, but several potential prequels could make the franchise even better.
Dune: Part Two Keeping The Gurney/Jessica Scene Would’ve Changed Paul’s Character
It Makes Him Seem Like A Better Person
Although cutting the Gurney and Lady Jessica scene is one ofDune: Part Two’s biggest book changes, it would have completely changed Paul’s character. In theDunebook, Paul’s decision to drink the Water of Life is made out of desperation.Paul still doesn’t particularly want to, but he feels as if he has to to prevent future dangers like that of Gurney’s attempted assassination. Even when drinking the Water of Life, Paul believes that he is doing it in order to accomplish something good, which is completely different inDune: Part Two.
In VIlleneuve’s movie, Paul’s decision to drink the Water of Life isn’t made out of desperation. Instead, Paul is doing in in order tofulfill the prophecies about the Lisan al Gaib, as he knows that it is the best way to win over the Fremen. Paul is aware that drinking the Water of Life will lead to the Holy War that he has forseen, but he believes that this is the best strategic move regardless. So, in the books Paul drinks the Water of Life to save lives, while in the movies Paul drinks the Water of Life to fulfill a prophecy and increase his influence.
Is Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides In Dune: Prophecy? Here’s What To Know
Dune: Prophecy is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated new series set to release in November 2024 after the critical acclaim of Dune 2.
Dune 2 Couldn’t Keep Gurney’s Book Motivation
It Is Way Too Complicated
Although Gurney’s motivation works in the book,Dune: Part Twosimply couldn’t keep it in the film.Dune: Part Twois already an incredibly packed movie that is filled with tons of storylines and character motivations, and Gurney’s subplot just wasn’t necessary.Dune: Part Twowould’ve felt bogged down if it had to include an entire storyline about Gurney secretly trying to avenge Duke Leto in the background, andthe approach that the movie went with instead allows the Water of Life arc to be far more streamlined.
On top of that, Paul’s sudden decision to drink the Water of Life may have been a better approach to Denis Villeneuve’s thematic point. Villeneuve wanted to explore howPaul was willing to play into the messianic prophecyregardless of the dangers that it caused, with him risking a Holy War in order to fulfill the prophecy. Drinking the Water of Life in an attempt to save his mother could have made Paul seem too sympathetic, and the approach thatDune: Part Twotook is far more streamlined.
Dune: Part Two
Cast
Dune: Part Two continues the epic saga of Paul Atreides as he allies with Chani and the Fremen. Pursuing retribution for his family’s devastation, Paul grapples with a significant decision impacting his personal desires and the universe’s future, attempting to avert a dire destiny that only he anticipates.
