Rebecca Ferguson Reveals She Only Has One Scene in DUNE: PART THREE and It Stings a Bit
Fans are getting ready to head back to Arrakis with Dune: Part Three, but one familiar face won’t be around as much as you might expect.
Rebecca Ferguson, who brought Lady Jessica to life in the first two films, has confirmed her role in the next chapter is extremely limited. Like… one scene limited, and while she’s keeping a great attitude about it, she admits it comes with a little emotional whiplash.
During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, Ferguson opened up about her involvement in the upcoming film, and it’s a surprising shift considering how central Lady Jessica has been so far.
“The script is great, I’ve read it. I think it’s going to be fantastic, but my journey was number one and two,” Ferguson said. “I don’t even think [Lady Jessica] was supposed to be in three, and then Denis was like, ‘I need to have one scene.’ And I get one scene.”
Dune: Part Three adapts Dune Messiah, the follow-up novel by Frank Herbert, where Lady Jessica isn’t much of a presence. Her character doesn’t really step back into the spotlight until later in the book series, so the film staying true to that direction makes sense, even if it’s a tough adjustment for fans who’ve come to love her.
Still, stepping onto a set you’ve helped define and realizing you’re no longer a major part of it hits differently. Ferguson said: “It was a weird feeling, walking onto a set that you know so well and knowing that you don’t have a part of it.”
She didn’t sugarcoat the emotional side of it either, saying: “There’s a lot of FOMO, and the acceptance of this is just what it is.”
Ferguson has been such a strong presence in these films, especially with Lady Jessica’s transformation into the Reverend Mother and her influence over Paul Atreides’ destiny. Seeing her take a step back is going to feel a little strange.
The newly released trailer does give us a glimpse of that one scene, and it looks like it carries weight. Paul, now firmly in power after defeating the Harkonnens and becoming Emperor, turns to his mother for guidance. When he asks, “How did Father do it?” Lady Jessica responds coldly, “Your father never started a war.”
That exchange hints at the internal conflict Paul will face in this story, which is set 17 years after the events of the previous film. He’s not just ruling, he’s dealing with the consequences of unleashing a galaxy-wide holy war.
Even if Ferguson’s screen time is brief, it sounds like her moment will matter.
The cast lineup for Dune: Part Three is still massive, with Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Isaach de Bankolé, Charlotte Rampling, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson, and Javier Bardem all involved.
The film hits theaters on December 18.
