Summary
- Dune: Part One
&
Part Two
are lengthy epics that adapt dense source material, requiring certain changes. - Thufir Hawat, a significant character in
Dune
, was cut from
Part Two
due to the need for central focus. - Director Villeneuve’s deletion of Hawat was difficult but ultimately necessary for the film adaptation’s coherence.
As a long-time fan of Frank Herbert’s Dune series, I find myself deeply saddened by the absence of Thufir Hawat in Denis Villeneuve‘s Dune: Part Two. Having grown up with the intricate web of characters that populate this epic saga, Thufir Hawat was a mentor, a confidant, and a beacon of wisdom for young Paul Atreides. His square-bottom lip tattoo, a symbol of his Mentat abilities, was as much a part of his identity as the desert wind was to the Fremen.
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune saga isn’t a collection of brief films; quite the contrary, it’s based on extensive source material. The challenge of adapting books into movies is evident, as demonstrated by series like Harry Potter, The Maze Runner, or Twilight. Filmmakers must decide what aspects to emphasize and which to overlook. For instance, they might omit supporting characters who could divert attention from the main storyline, or include additional scenes that unnecessarily prolong the running time in an era of long epic films.
At times, it happens even within sequels that a specific character appears initially but is absent later on. In the case of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, this was Thufir Hawat, who featured in Dune: Part One but did not return for Dune: Part Two. This decision left the director feeling quite disappointed. Thufir Hawat was the faithful protector of House Atreides, brilliantly played by Stephen McKinley Henderson. Despite scenes with him being filmed, they were eventually removed from both the second half of Part One and Part Two. Here’s a rundown on all there is to know about this character’s journey in Villeneuve’s Dune series.
Who Is Thufir Hawat in the Dune Franchise?
Thufir Hawat initiates his narrative within the novel “Dune” as a Mentat and Master of Assassins serving House Atreides. As a Mentat, he underwent extensive training from childhood to function like a human calculator, resolving issues for the benefit of the people. His primary role was to shield House Atreides against military assaults, espionage, and other threats. Moreover, this specific Mentat played a crucial part in Paul’s upbringing, not just teaching him combat skills but also imparting essential military problem-solving knowledge, almost like a friend during his early years.
Concerning his roles across different Dune adaptations, Thufir Hawat was initially featured in the original novel and received an early sketch. He subsequently appeared in multiple comic book versions, donning various appearances. In David Lynch’s 1984 film adaptation, he was portrayed as a stylized older man with extensive facial hair by Freddie Jones, and his storyline continued until his dramatic demise. Czech actor Jan Vlasák played him in the less-remembered 2000 miniseries, only to vanish after the Siege of Arrakeen. Lastly, he made an appearance in Dune: Part 1 directed by Denis Villeneuve, sporting a distinctive square-shaped lip tattoo.
Why Villeneuve Cut Thufir Hawat From Dune: Part Two
Undeniably, adapting a complex novel like Dune required some modifications. Given its extensive length of 896 pages, there were inevitable edits made to dialogues, subplots, and even characters during the screenplay process. As for Thufir Hawat, the French director explained to Screen Crush:
“I deeply admired the character Thufir Hawat, but for the film adaptation of the Bene Gesserit, I decided to take a daring step and emphasize that sisterhood instead. If only there was more of Thufir Hawat in it; that’s what I would express.”
It is clear that the director faced a difficult choice and decided to exclude a less significant character to enhance the story for others. Although Thufir Hawat could have persisted on his book path, leading to a heroic end; doing so might have distracted from the main narrative or the Bene Gesserit storyline, which held more significance in Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two.
It can be inferred that as Thufir Hawat primarily served as Paul’s trainer for military duties, his mission was completed after the events of the first film. With Paul establishing his own army in the second movie, he no longer required Thufir Hawat’s assistance in securing his home. Following the Siege of Arrakeen, Paul continued to fight without Thufir Hawat, indicating that his character was no longer needed. Although it was unfortunate for Thufir Hawat’s screen time, this decision allowed for more focus on other characters.
In a different perspective, it feels unusual that the Mentat character, who was supposed to work for the Harkonnens following the Siege of Harrakeen in the original novel, doesn’t reappear. Given his exceptional abilities in solving logical conundrums, even war strategies, his captivity by the enemy seems crucial to the storyline. It’s surprising that he is absent from at least one scene, considering the Atreides warrior makes a comeback in the gladiator-like arena and his presence isn’t contrasted with the corruption within the Harkonnens, particularly Thufir Hawat’s captivity, which could have underscored the decadence of the enemy.
In the adaptation of Dune, Thufir Hawat, a captivating and potentially significant figure, was possibly too complex to incorporate into the other narratives presented in the film. Furthermore, his primary function in the Messiah’s life had already been completed, making him unnecessary for the storyline.
In my opinion, while the character’s death in the novel and previous adaptations has always been a powerful and dramatic moment, it felt quite challenging to incorporate it into Dune: Part Two. Despite this decision being difficult for the director, who seemed to hold a deep affection for the character, it was ultimately deemed necessary. By the way, if you’re interested, you can catch Dune: Part Two on Max now.
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2024-08-17 01:01