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The HBO Max seriesDune: Prophecyhas built on the universe of Denis Villenue’s sci-fi films. Based on Frank Herbert’s novels, the show is set 10,000 years before the events of the novel and the Timothée Chalamet starring duology, tracing the origins of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood.
The fourth episode of the show reveals in its final moments a rare superpower in Sister Theodosia. Emily Watson’s Valya Harkonnen has a confrontation with her dead brother Griffin, but it turns out to be Theodosia in disguise. The episode ends with her shapeshifting back to her natural self.
What Does Sister Theodosia’s Transformation InDune: ProphecyMean?
Frank Herbert’sDunenovels have always been about more than the Atreides family. While the first three novels focus on Paul Atreides’ journey as a messianic figure for the Fremen and Planet Arrakis, the novels tell a wider story of imperialism and societal structures that seem to be built on profits, power, and control.
Max’sDune: Prophecytraces the origins of the feudal future that Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films introduced, and focuses on two Sisters of the Bene Gesserit at a time of political upheaval. Emily Watson’s Valya Harkonnen seems to be vying for power, as do multiple other players in thisGame of Thrones-esque take on Herbert’s world.
In the latest episode ofDune: Prophecy, however, a concept that was not hinted at in the original films was introduced. Despite the political ploys in the show, the element of sci-fi and (a smidge) of fantasy has been in the background. The show has stuff like the Voice and the creatures, but theending of episode 4revealed Sister Theodosia as a shapeshifter.
Dune: Prophecy Finally Addresses House Atreides’ Bullfighting Past With Tula Harkonnen’s Ominous Vision
Emily Watson’s Valya Harkonnen gets a makeshift therapy session with her deceased brother Griffin after she kills Evgeny Harkonnen. It is later revealed that Griffin is just an altered Theodosia.GQspeculated that this could be a reference to the species of Bene Tleilax in the books, particularlyDune: Messiah.
The Bene Tleilax are the inhabitants of the planet Thalim in theDuneuniverse and have the power to manipulate genes. The species are regarded as a necessary evil due to this power for the Landsraad. They are also reportedly the main antagonists in the second novel of the series,Dune: Messiah, which is the inspiration for Denis Villeneuve’s threequel.
Will Denis Villeneuve Include The Bene Tleilax InDune: Messiah?
FilmmakerDenis Villeneuvegave a near-perfect adaptation of theDunefranchise, and it was announced that he was working on a third film based onDune: Messiah. Though he mentioned that he was still contemplating a return to Arrakis, he said that he would sow enough seeds for the franchise to be taken forward by other filmmakers.
Set twelve years after the events ofDune,Dune: Messiahsees Paul Atreides preside over ajihadin pursuit of conquering the known universe. The Bene Tleilax become an integral part of a group of insurgents who wish to dethrone Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides, along with the Bene Gesserit, and the Spacing Guild.
Jaw-dropping ‘Dune: Prophecy’ Theory Claiming the Sisterhood Trained Desmond Hart is Too Compelling to Ignore
Will Villeneuve include the Tleilaxu in the film? There are no confirmations butDune: Prophecy’s introduction of the species may be the seeds for the upcoming threequel. The Tleilaxu have not been referred to in previous films and the sudden introduction of a key antagonist could be off-putting.
Villeneuve mentioned that he would want the third film to have a unique identity and not just be the final installment of a trilogy. He said toVariety,
If I do a third one, which is in the writing process, it’s not like a trilogy. It’s strange to say that, but if I go back there, it’s to do something that feels different and has its own identity.
The film is currently in the development stage and there has been no greenlight, although Villeneuve has mentioned that he might tackle an adaptation of the novelNuclear War: A Scenario.
Dune: Prophecyis available to stream on Max.
Nishanth A
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2417
Nishanth A is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 2,000 articles published. He has been an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a scriptwriter at various corporations before that, working on educational content. With a Communications, English Literature, and Psychology triple major, Nishanth usually covers news and analyses on Star Trek, particularly Strange New Worlds and The Next Generation; Doctor Who, the DCU, and more.A Nolan fan, Nishanth spends his time exploring the filmographies of various directors with an auteurial style or can be found making short movies of his own. He has also contributed as a feature writer for Film Companion, focusing on the South division.
