Los Angeles | April 9, 2025 —
In the sand-swept deserts of Arrakis, a new shape-shifter may be arriving—and he might just be wearing Robert Pattinson’s face.
According to industry insiders, Robert Pattinson is in advanced talks to join the cast of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Messiah, unofficially dubbed Dune 3. The Tenet and The Batman star is being eyed for the role of Scytale, a chilling shape-shifting “face-dancer” and key villain plotting against Emperor Paul Atreides.
If confirmed, this would mark Pattinson’s first major sci-fi role since Tenet, and his second time entering the visionary realm of a legendary auteur.
But there’s a twist—this role might delay his return to Gotham.
🦇 The Batman on Hold?
With Dune 3 set to begin filming in summer 2025, sources close to the project suggest Pattinson’s schedule may push Matt Reeves’ The Batman: Part II back to early 2026—or later.
This news has triggered a wave of speculation and concern across fandoms. DC fans, already starved for updates on Pattinson’s Batman sequel, are beginning to wonder: Is The Batman 2 even happening anymore?
So far, Warner Bros. has remained silent—no trailers, no casting updates, no release date confirmations. For a franchise that delivered one of DC’s best-reviewed films in years, the silence is deafening.
“If Pattinson jumps into Dune: Messiah, it’s a clear sign The Batman 2 isn’t the top priority right now,” tweeted one fan. “What’s going on at DC?”
🌀 Why Scytale Could Be the Role of a Lifetime
If the reports are true, Pattinson could be stepping into one of Frank Herbert’s most intriguing villains. Scytale is no ordinary adversary—he’s a shape-shifting master of deception, a genetically engineered infiltrator, and a symbol of the deep conspiracy festering beneath Paul Atreides’ rule.
With Denis Villeneuve at the helm and Dune: Part Two already being praised as a sci-fi epic, Pattinson’s entry into this universe would be nothing short of explosive.
“Pattinson has the range to go full menace and mystery,” said a source familiar with the casting. “Scytale isn’t just a villain. He’s a psychological mirror to Paul—he becomes what others fear.”
🎬 Clash of Franchises: Dune vs. The Batman
This moment represents a fascinating collision between two high-powered franchises—both backed by Warner Bros., but each pulling Pattinson in dramatically different directions.
While The Batman built him a whole new generation of fans in the DC Universe, Dune offers him the chance to go toe-to-toe with Timothée Chalamet in an auteur-driven, award-season contender.
It’s art vs. legacy. Sand vs. shadows. And Pattinson is caught in the middle.
🚨 What Happens Next?
Villeneuve is expected to begin pre-production on Dune: Messiah within weeks, with cameras rolling by late summer 2025. If Pattinson signs on, an official announcement could arrive before Comic-Con.
Meanwhile, The Batman: Part II remains in limbo, with Matt Reeves reportedly fine-tuning the script, but no solid start date in sight.
Fans now face a tough question:
Would you rather see Pattinson return as a tortured, brooding Batman—or watch him completely transform into a deadly, shapeshifting villain on the sands of Arrakis?
