Where Thufir Hawat's Role Fits in Dune 2 and the Mystery of His Absence

Stephen McKinley Henderson's character Thufir Hawat is noticeably absent from Dune: Part Two, and there is a specific reason behind his absence. However, based on the book, his role in the sequel should have been significant. Denis Villeneuve's follow-up to the 2021 film Dune brings back almost every surviving character from the first installment. It was natural to expect Thufir Hawat to make a return in Dune 2, considering his importance in the story as the mentat for House Atreides. His fate was left open-ended in the conclusion of Dune, leaving room for the sequel to continue his narrative as per Frank Herbert's original novel.

Instead of making a comeback, Thufir Hawat is nowhere to be seen throughout the entirety of Dune: Part Two. The movie stays true to the source material by exploring plotlines that would have involved the character portrayed by Stephen McKinley Henderson. The first film failed to address what happened to Thufir after the attack by House Harkonnen on Arrakis and the death of Duke Leto Atreides. By excluding him from Dune 2, the film misses out on key moments where Thufir should have been present.

Thufir Hawat Should Be With The Harkonnens In Dune 2

He joins House Harkonnen after the fall of House Atreides

Thufir Hawat in uniform in Dune - He joins House Harkonnen after the fall of House Atreides - Thufir Hawat Should Be With The Harkonnens In Dune 2

In Dune 2, Thufir Hawat's character was supposed to switch sides and join House Harkonnen. Despite his loyalty to House Atreides in the first movie, the book delves into how he ends up working for Baron Vladimir Harkonnen after Duke Leto's death and Paul's disappearance. Thufir finds himself entangled in the Harkonnen's schemes, actively participating in their mission to locate and eliminate the new leader of the Fremen, Maud'Dib. He firmly believes that Lady Jessica was the traitor who betrayed House Atreides.

Why Thufir Hawat's Role was Cut in Dune 2

The first Dune movie did not include the plot of Thufir suspecting Jessica as the Harkonnen spy. This meant that the sequel would unlikely touch upon this storyline if Thufir had made an appearance. However, Thufir's time working with the Harkonnens is crucial for his character development. It plays a significant role in shaping his actions and decisions throughout the story. In the end, Thufir's realization that Maud'Dib is actually Paul leads to his ultimate sacrifice. Despite the importance of his character arc, Thufir's fate is left unaddressed in Dune 2.

Villeneuve's decision came down to a new focus

Thufir Hawat speaking to Duke Leto in Dune. - Villeneuve's decision came down to a new focus - Why Dune 2 Cut Thufir Hawat's Book Role

The decision to cut Thufir Hawat from Dune 2 was not made by Denis Villeneuve at the start of the sequel's development. Stephen McKinley Henderson did film scenes for the sequel, but Thufir's role was removed during the editing process. There may be deleted scenes featuring Thufir Hawat in Dune 2, but it is uncertain if they will be released. Henderson mentioned in the This Is Purdue podcast that he filmed scenes with Austin Butler's Feyd-Rautha, hinting at his missing role.

In an interview with Screen Crush, Villeneuve explained why Thufir Hawat's scenes were cut from Dune 2. He expressed his love for the character but decided to focus the story on the Bene Gesserit sisterhood in the sequel. This shift in focus made Stephen McKinley Henderson's scenes no longer necessary, leading to Thufir Hawat's absence in Dune: Part Two.

Sources: This Is Purdue Podcast, Screen Crush

Editor's P/S:

The absence of Thufir Hawat in "Dune: Part Two" is a disappointment, as his character plays a pivotal role in the novel. His defection to House Harkonnen and subsequent realization of Paul's true identity are crucial to the story's development. While Villeneuve's decision to focus on the Bene Gesserit is understandable, it's a shame that Thufir's arc was sacrificed. The film's adherence to the source material in other aspects makes his omission even more puzzling.

It's intriguing to speculate on the potential impact of Thufir's presence in the sequel. His interactions with Feyd-Rautha could have added depth to the Harkonnen plotline, and his eventual redemption would have provided a satisfying conclusion to his character. It remains to be seen if deleted scenes featuring Thufir will be released, but their absence from the final cut suggests that Villeneuve may have a different vision for the character's future in the franchise.