Who Is Scytale? Robert Pattinson’s Dune 3 Villain Explained

Reports are running around the web suggesting that The Batman star, Robert Pattinson, is circling a lead villain role for Dune: Messiah. The reports state that this villain is Scytale. In the Dune: Messiah book, the character proves to be a formidable foe for Paul Atreides. Accordingly, fans have become interested in learning about the villain and his role in the Dune universe. In live-action, Scytale was previously played by Martin McDougall in Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune.

Here is all you need to know about Dune: Messiah’s villain, whom Robert Pattinson is rumored to be eyed for.

Who is Robert Pattinson’s Scytale in Dune: Messiah?

In Dune: Messiah, Scytale is a Tleilaxu Face Dancer. The Face Dancers were first established in the HBO prequel series Dune: Prophecy as a shapeshifting race, created by the Bene Tleilax.

In Dune: Messiah, Scytale — a master manipulator — becomes a formidable psychological adversary to Paul Atreides. Alongside the Tleilaxu, Bene Gesserit, and Spacing Guild, he conspires to overthrow the emperor and dismantle his rule.

Thus, as part of his goal to dethrone Paul Atreides, Scytale infiltrates his inner circle. He uses a mix of lies and deception to gain Atreides’ trust and manipulate him into surrendering his empire.

Scytale also presents Paul with a grim and emotionally charged ultimatum — resurrect Chani as a ghola or allow his newborn children to die at Scytale’s hands. Chani died giving birth to Paul’s twins, Leto II and Ghanima Atreides. However, Paul ultimately saw through Scytale’s manipulations and killed him, with help from his newborn son.

However, that was not the end for Scytale. The Tleilaxu, who had learned not only to regenerate the flesh of a ghola but also to restore their memories, revived him as one. He was then made a Tleilaxu Master and eventually a Masheikh.

Robert Pattinson has not yet been officially cast as the character for Dune: Messiah, and it remains to be seen whether director Denis Villeneuve will offer the role to the actor.