10 Things You Should Know About Florence Pugh’s Dune 2 Character

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Frank Herbert’s Dune and Dune: Part Two.

Florence Pugh stars as Princess Irulan in the cast of Dune 2, and there are a few important things to know about her character after seeing the movie. The sequel finishes the story that begins in Dune, covering the second half of Frank Herbert’s novel of the same name. The Dune 2 cast features a host of new characters from Herbert’s novel, and Pugh is one of the most notable actors who fill one of those roles. However, after playing a relatively insignificant part in Dune 2‘s story, Princess Irulan will undoubtedly have a bigger presence in the franchise’s future.

Princess Irulan is the daughter of Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken), and although the character is relatively absent in the original novel, Pugh’s minimal role in Dune 2 is disappointing. Pugh is one of the most well-known actresses in Denis Villeneuve’s dread-inducing and awe-inspiring sequel, and as such, anticipation for her arrival was high. Nevertheless, the upcoming third film Dune: Messiah should feature more of Princess Irulan, and several facts about her character will be useful for viewers to know before seeing the film.

10 Princess Irulan Is A Bene Gesserit Of Hidden Rank

The Bene Gesserit Trained The Princess From A Young Age

One critical thing to know about Princess Irulan is that she is a member of Dune‘s Bene Gesserit Order. However, her rank within the order is kept concealed from the public. As a member of the Bene Gesserit, Princess Irulan has an expanded mental capacity and heightened senses that make her far more perceptive than a normal person. She is also presumably capable of altering her body chemistry through her own will, which is one of the most impressive abilities developed by the Sisterhood.

The Bene Gesserit are also extremely well-educated, and Princess Irulan has an especially deep understanding of history. As far as Bene Gesserit members go, Princess Irulan is thought to be one of the weaker additions to the order, but she is profoundly more intelligent than the average person and fully capable of being a deadly spy. Notably, Princess Irulan is not thought to have any aptitude with the Voice, which is further proved when she doesn’t display the ability to use the Voice in Dune 2.

9 Princess Irulan Is A Historian

Excerpts From The Princess’ Various Writings Are Found At The Beginning Of Most Chapters In Dune

Princess Irulan is also a historian, and while most of her notable work is completed after the events in Dune, she began some of these writings before the movie’s timeline. Herbert’s Dune books often introduce chapters with excerpts from the Princess’ journal entries, which are used as a valuable form of world-building. Pugh’s character even narrates parts of her writing in Dune 2. Ultimately, Princess Irulan is well-positioned to gather information for her writings, and her Bene Gesserit training gives her the expanded mental capacity to remember virtually everything she hears.

8 Princess Irulan Is The Eldest Of The Emperor’s Five Daughters

Princess Irulan And Her Sisters Are Members Of The Imperial House Of Corrino

Princess Irulan is the eldest of Dune‘s Emperor Shaddam IV’s five daughters, and his desire to have a son made the lives of his daughters difficult. As the oldest, Irulan had a pampered childhood, and her father treated her as his heir when it became apparent he wouldn’t have a son. Irulan’s importance as an Imperial family member encouraged the Bene Gesserit to train her for their own purposes. It’s also likely that Shaddam’s wife, who was also Bene Gesserit, was ordered to bear only daughters to the emperor.

7 Princess Irulan Is Torn Between Loyalty To House Corrino And The Bene Gesserit

Princess Irulan Is Loyal To Both Until Those Loyalties Collide

Princess Irulan’s loyalties might be tested in Dune: Messiah as she attempts to balance the devotion she owes her father (and Paul Atreides) with the allegiance demanded by the Bene Gesserit. As a Bene Gesserit member, Princess Irulan is expected to obey any orders received from high-ranking members. But the Bene Gesserit begins to use Princess Irulan as a source of information and a tool of manipulation, so she has to decide whether her family or the Sisterhood means more to her. Unfortunately, Dune 2 doesn’t cover this struggle from the books, but future installments in the franchise may address it.

6 Princess Irulan Is Prideful And Resents Being A Pawn

Irulan’s Pride Prevents Her From Being A Better Bene Gesserit

Princess Irulan’s position often makes her a pawn in the hands of either her father or the Bene Gesserit, which she despises. Pugh’s character in Dune 2 is proud and stubborn, and Princess Irulan resents being paired with suitors without having any say in the matter herself. She is also used as a pawn by the Bene Gesserit, who want her involved in their extensive breeding program.

Further, Princess Irulan is a valuable source of information for the Bene Gesserit. She chafes constantly at her lack of agency and wants nothing more than to be in charge of her own life. Unfortunately, this is impossible after Paul wins Princess Irulan’s hand in marriage in Dune 2.

5 Princess Irulan Is Raised As A Lady Of Refinement And Elegance

The Emperor’s Daughters Are Raised To Be Ladies Of The Court

While Princess Irulan is trained in the Bene Gesserit ways in Dune, making her deadly and perceptive, she is also trained to be a refined lady of the Imperial court. This allows her to interact smoothly with political players and take on the role of the dutiful daughter when, in reality, she is extremely dangerous. Princess Irulan is capable of recording conversations mentally and reading the most minute changes in body language, making her adept at reading people’s intentions and desires. She hides these abilities behind a veil of elegant refinement, so she’s quietly effective as a political maneuver.

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4 Princess Irulan Was Expected To Become Empress

Princess Irulan Is The Heir To House Corrino

It’s noted in Dune that, for a long time, Emperor Shaddam IV expected Princess Irulan to succeed him as Padishah Empress. Emperor Shaddam desired a son, but when it became clear he would not have one, he realized Princess Irulan would have to succeed him or marry a suitable member of a major house to maintain House Corrino’s hegemony in the Empire. While Princess Irulan does end up marrying the future emperor, it does not happen in the way Shaddam expected or desired, as is portrayed in Dune 2‘s ending.

3 Princess Irulan’s Sense Of Identity Prevents Her From Being An Effective Bene Gesserit

Irulan Refuses To Become A Mindless Servant Of The Bene Gesserit Order

Princess Irulan’s refusal to let go of her identity holds her back in her Bene Gesserit training, and she would likely be a more effective member of the order if she succumbs to their expectations of loyalty and commitment. However, Princess Irulan is too proud for that, which keeps her from progressing very far as a member of the Bene Gesserit. Pugh’s character clings fiercely to her identity as a member of House Corrino, but also as an individual, which sadly isn’t addressed in the 2024 film, as Dune 2 focuses more on Paul Atreides’ hero or villain dilemma.

2 Princess Irulan Marries Paul Atreides To Retain Power

Paul Won Irulan’s Hand In Marriage In Dune 2

In Dune 2‘s tragic ending, Paul Atreides challenges Emperor Shaddam IV for the throne and his daughter’s hand in marriage. The Emperor has Feyd-Rautha fight Paul in his place, and after a grueling duel, Paul kills Feyd-Rautha, becoming the emperor and Princess Irulan’s fiancé. Following Dune 2‘s final fight scene, Paul and Princess Irulan follow through on the deal and get married. However, it’s a marriage of convenience rather than love, as Paul’s heart will always belong to Chani.

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1 Princess Irulan Will Have A Bigger Role In Dune: Messiah Than In Dune 2

Florence Pugh Reprises Her Role In Dune 3

Thankfully, Dune: Messiah will fix Dune 2‘s Florence Pugh mistake by incorporating her character more into the third film’s story. Denis Villeneuve promised that the upcoming movie will actually develop Princess Irulan as a character, leading to a bigger role. Pugh having a more significant part in Dune: Messiah after being snubbed in Dune 2 makes sense, given that Princess Irulan is now engaged to the franchise’s main character.

Dune: Part Two

Dune: Part Two is the sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 film that covers the novel’s events by Frank Herbert. The movie continues the quest of Paul Atreides on a journey of revenge against those who slew his family. With insight into the future, Atreides may be forced to choose between his one true love and the universe’s fate. 

Release Date

March 1, 2024

Cast

Timothee Chalamet , Zendaya , Florence Pugh , Austin Butler , Rebecca Ferguson , Josh Brolin , Dave Bautista , Christopher Walken , Lea Seydoux , Souhelia Yacoub , Stellan Skarsgård , Charlotte Rampling , Javier Bardem