Since the release of Dune: Part One last year, fans of the sci-fi franchise have been eagerly anticipating news about the next instalment in the series. Now, it’s been confirmed that Austin Butler has been cast in Dune: Part Two.

Speaking to The New York Times, Butler confirmed that he would be playing the role of Feyd-Rautha. In Frank Herbert’s novel, Feyd-Rautha is Baron Harkonnen’s favourite nephew and “Beast” Rabban’s brother. He will star alongside Timothée Chalamet, who plays Paul Atreides.

Butler also added that he has commenced training to prepare for his knife-fighting scenes.

“It’s gonna be intense,” said director Denis Villeneuve. “I cannot say nothing about the movie – I don’t like to talk about projects as I am doing them – but it’s probably going to be the biggest challenge of my career, again, because it’s even more complex than Part 1.”

Dune: Part Two will premiere on October 20, 2023.