Real life behemoth Dave Bautista is preparing to return as Glossu “Beast” Rabban in the upcoming sci-fi sequel Dune: Part Two. Taking to Instagram, Bautista revealed that he has shaved his head and face completely clean in order to once again sport the pale-white skin and aerodynamic look of the character, who will once again do battle with Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides.
“If “the spice must flow” than the beard must go,” Bautista said in a caption alongside the assortment of images, which show the actor remove his beard (not an easy task for anyone) in the name of cinematic art. Bautista made his Dune debut in last year’s Dune: Part One, playing Glossu “Beast” Rabban Harkonnen, the brutish nephew of Stellan Skarsgård’s Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. Cruel, violent, and sadistic, the Beast is used as a pawn in his uncle’s political machinations.
Dune: Part Two will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
Dave Bautista is just one part of a large ensemble cast for Dune: Part Two, which includes Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling and Stephen McKinley Henderson. It is also now confirmed that Dune: Part Two will add Midsommar and Black Widow star Florence Pugh, Elvis actor Austin Butler, Hollywood icon Christopher Walken, Crimes of the Future’s Léa Seydoux, and finally Swiss actress Souheila Yacoub.
Dune: Part Two will see director Denis Villeneuve return to the helm alongside cinematographer Greig Fraser, costume designer Jacqueline West, makeup, hair and prosthetic designer Donald Mowat, composer Hans Zimmer, production designer Patrice Vermette, editor Joe Walker, visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert and special effects supervisor Gerd Nefzer.
His Role in the Dune Saga Means a Lot to Dave Bautista
Retired wrestler Dave Bautista has spoken previously about how much such a crucial role in the Dune saga means to him. "We tracked that movie for months because I wanted to be a part of it so bad. I never reached out, because I don't want to be that guy, like 'Hey, Denis, is there a part for me?' I never wanted to be that guy,” the actor, who has worked with director Denis Villeneuve before on Blade Runner 2049, said. “But he actually called me, he didn't say anything like 'so there's this part…' He just straight up asked me if I would come and play this part. I was so taken aback I didn't even know what to say, except for, obviously, 'yes.'"
“Moments like that really gauge how far I've come, as an actor. There's a lot of pride in it for me that a director like Denis would call like that and offer me a role in a film that I know is going to be enormous,” he added. “Because people have been waiting for this for years and years and years. And people are so passionate about the novels. So for him to offer me such an integral part of this film, for me, it was a personal statement. I can't purchase that type of emotion, that sense of pride. These are the few moments in life where I get that, where I feel like my life is worth something, I did something with my life. My life means something."
Dune: Part Two is currently filming, and is set to be released on November 17, 2023.