Summary
Dune: Part Twothrilled audiences around the world by bringing Frank Herbert’s seminal science-fiction story to life, but despite its fealty to the novel, Villeneuve’s film wasn’t afraid to make some changes. As with any adaptation, some alterations were necessary to remove many of the more unwieldy aspects of Herbert’s book – such as the troublesome character of Alia Atreides. However, while these tweaks often sparked controversy among the fanbase, one change – concerning Zendaya’s character, Chani – actually helped improve the narrative.
Dune: Part Twomade a huge financial impact,grossing $711.8 million on a budget of $190 million. Cinema audiences were enraptured by the messianic rise of Paul Atreides in his war against the Harkonnen house on the desert world of Arrakis. One of the key characters who assisted Paul to power is the enigmatic Fremen woman, Chani. Initially skeptical, Chani eases Paul into the Fremen culture and helps him gain the trust of warriors and preachers alike. Zendaya has breathed new life into the role of Chani, with her story departing significantly from the original book.
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Dune: Part Two Changes Chani’s Parenthood From The Book
In Frank Herbert’s 1965 novelDune,Chani is introduced as the daughter of Dr Liet Kynes, the imperial planetologist on Arrakis. Kynes helps Duke Leto Atreides and his son into their first still-suits, joining them on an Ornithopter trip outside the city of Arrakeen which sees them encounter one ofDune’s gigantic sandwormsfor the first time. It is later revealed that Kynes is an important figure in Fremen culture, having parents of both Imperial and Fremen backgrounds. Kynes is later left for dead by the Harkonnens, falling victim to a fatal spice blow.
Chani is presented as an ordinary member of the Fremen – further deepening the initial divide between her and Paul.
After both lose their fathers, Chani helps Paul embrace Fremen culture and the two quickly form a romantic relationship. However, in Denis Villeneuve’sDune,there is no existing connection between Chani and Kynes. Instead, Chani is presented as an ordinary member of the Fremen – further deepening the initial divide between her and Paul. It’s a narrative decision that has profound implications forDune: Part Two’s story and the characters' unique dynamic.
Removing Kynes From Chani’s Story Makes Sense For Dune: Part Two
In 2024’sDune Part Two, Chani is the crucial help that Paul needs to ingratiate his way into the Fremen people. The change in parenthood means that her film counterpart is purely Fremen, therefore allowing her to hold more of an authoritative voice in tribe matters. This means thatChani can argue on behalf of an outsider such as Paul, persuading others that he is not a threat likethe malevolent House Harkonnen. If the films kept the connection between Chani and Liet Kynes, other members of the Fremen tribe may see her as too closely linked with imperial rule.
The change in Chani’s background also deepens her as a character. Without the protection of Liet Kynes, audiences know that Chani must have fought hard to survive in the tough desert landscape. It also means her relationship with Paul is more remarkable, as they have less in common without a shared imperial heritage. When Chani realizes that Paul’s ascension will bring war and bloodshed to the Fremen, she feels her guilt more acutely because of her heritage. As a resultDune: Part Twois arguably more emotionally devastating than the original story.
