Summary
Anya Taylor-Joy playing Alia inDune: Part Twocreates a problem for a possibleDune Messiahmovie. Taylor-Joy made an unexpected appearance for only a few seconds inDune: Part Twoas Paul Atreides' sister, Alia. Taylor-Joy joining thecast ofDuneis an exciting prospect, as Alia is a big character in theDune Messiahbook.
Alia’s being in theDune: Part Twofilm also makes a strong case for aMessiahfilm to actually happen,while confirming the casting of Anya Taylor-Joy in this role. However, the particular casting of Taylor-Joy is a change from theDunebooks. Alia is a teenager for most of the book, while Taylor-Joy is already much older.
How should Dune: Messiah handle Anya Taylor-Joy’s Alia Atreides?
Having Dune: Messiah release in 2026 raises questions about Anya Taylor-Joy’s role as Alia Atreides, as she’s meant to be a main character in the sequel. In order to make the ages line up, it seems like they’ll have to suggest that her character was born as an adult or has aged rapidly. If they increase the number of in-universe years between films, Paul and Chani would look too young, and it seems doubtful that they’d re-cast Alia with a younger actress.
Anya Taylor-Joy Is Too Old For Dune Messiah
Alia Is Only A Teenager In The Dune Messiah Book
Alia is Lady Jessica’s daughter and Paul’s sister, making her part of theAtreides' family tree. The bookDune Messiahtakes place 12 years after the events ofDune: Part Two,andAlia is meant to be 16 years oldby then. Anya Taylor-Joy was 27 whenDune: Part Twowas released, meaning she’ll be even older by the timeMessiahcomes around. Alia was never born inDune: Part Twoand only appeared in Paul’s vision. If aMessiahfilm follows a similar time jump to the book, Alia would be 12 in theMessiahfilm.
It will be interesting to see how aMessiahmovie will get around these age discrepancies. In the book,Alia is born with the power of a Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother.Alia could use her power to age herself more rapidly. Another wayMessiahcould resolve the age issue is by setting the story even further into the future than the book did. Alia also has an important relationship with Duncan in the book, and a smaller age gap between the two characters could actually be a welcome improvement. It is unclear ifJason Momoa will return as Duncan.
Alia’s Dune 2 Role Means Messiah Will (Almost) Definitely Happen
Alia Plays A Big Part In Dune Messiah
Alia’s reveal inDune: Part TwomeansMessiahis very probable to happen.Taylor-Joy has a longstanding career of predominantly playing the lead in movies and TV shows, includingFuriosa: A Mad Max Saga,The Menu, andThe Queen’s Gambit. Because of this, it seems unlikely that Taylor-Joy would have accepted a role of only a couple of seconds screentime without any promise to become a bigger part of theDunefranchise later. Similarly, Florence Pugh was promised a larger role in potential futureDuneinstallments when taking on the role of Princess Irulan inDune: Part Two(viaRadioTimes).
Anya Taylor-Joy was not credited forDune: Part Twoin order to keep her role in the film a secret until its release.
Revealing Alia at all inDune: Part Twomay show that director Denis Villeneuve has every intention of making aMessiahfilm. Lady Jessica being pregnant and speaking to her unborn daughter was a big focus of her character progression inDune: Part Two.The film could have easily chosen to keep Alia hidden from the audienceand not cast anyone in this role.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s casting does show there will be some changes to the structure and story ofDune Messiah.Dune: Part Twowas a box office successand also included some important book changes. Despite the changes, the film was still hugely popular. With Anya Taylor-Joy’s acting talent and director Denis Villeneuve’s vision for the franchise,Dune Messiahis set to be another incredible body of work.
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.
