Florence Pugh Confirms Princess Irulan Return for ‘Messiah’

Florence Pugh has confirmed that she is returning as Princess Irulan Corrino for Dune: Part Three, aka Dune Messiah, which is set to begin filming this summer. Her character becomes a central figure in the second book of Frank Herbert’s seminal sci-fi series, suggesting a more prominent part and extended screen time for her in the forthcoming third movie from director Denis Villeneuve. “I hope we see more of her,” Pugh told Harper’s Bazaar, keeping coy about the possibility of her expanded role, adding, “I want more cool outfits!”

Princess Irulan is the eldest daughter of the duplicitous 81st Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, portrayed by Christopher Walken in Dune: Part Two, and Anirul, a Bene Gesserit of Hidden Rank, though this is only briefly visited on screen. Pugh’s character evolves from a passive observer to an active participant in the unfolding drama when she agrees to marry Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) at the end of the second movie, in an unexpected but strategic move to save her father’s life — setting the stage for the events of the book sequel, Dune Messiah, which is the basis of the upcoming film adaptation.

Herbert’s Messiah takes place 12 years after the events of his 1965 Dune novel. Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three is expected to feature the same time jump, chronicling the next chapter in Paul Atreides’ life more than a decade after he first assumed the throne as Emperor. A large part of the story is driven by Princess Irulan’s jealousy and resentment towards her husband concerning his love for Chani, played by Zendaya in the film, leading her to take drastic measures to try and prevent them from conceiving a child together.

Who Joins Florence Pugh in the Cast of ‘Dune 3’?

Several actors are expected to reprise their roles alongside Pugh in Dune: Part Three based on the characters who feature in the novel. The major players include Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides, Zendaya as Chani, Javier Bardem as Stilgar, and Charlotte Rampling as Gaius Helen Mohiam. In addition, Rebecca Ferguson’s Lady Jessica, Josh Brolin’s Gurney Halleck, and Christopher Walken’s Shaddam IV could find their way back onto the big screen as they are all mentioned in the novel.

Jason Momoa also recently confirmed that he is returning as Duncan Idaho for the third and final installment of Villeneuve’s Dune film series, despite his character being killed off in the first movie. Anyone who has read the books would know his story is far from over. Idaho plays a significant part in Dune Messiah, as it is revealed that his body was recovered on Arrakis by the Sarduarkar and given to the mysterious organization known as the Bene Tleilax. He is brought back as a genetically engineered human known as a “ghola.”

Source: Harper’s Bazaar

Dune: Part Three

Release Date

December 18, 2026

Writers

Jon Spaihts

Producers

John Harrison, Mary Parent, Richard P. Rubinstein, Thomas Tull, Tanya Lapointe

Franchise(s)

Dune