“Dune 2’s” messianic character, Paul Atreides (aka Lisan Al Gaib, Muad’Dib, and/or Usul) is a very unique protagonist. However, watching the film, many fans are wondering if he is actually an evil villain instead of a hero. Here’s both the reality and why fans believe that.
Is Paul Atreides a villain in Dune 2?
Paul Atreides is not a villain in “Dune: Part Two,” but he isn’t a hero in the traditional sense either.
David Lynch’s adaptation of “Dune” from 1984 portrayed Paul Atreides as a typical triumphant protagonist. But Denis Villeneuve’s two movies have built his story arc in a way closer to what Frank Herbert originally intended in his novels. The writer criticized the common ‘chosen one’ plot device used in many stories and so do the latest Dune movies.
“Part Two” in particular shows the evolution of Paul Atreides in a way where he doesn’t feel like a true champion towards the end. He starts off as someone who feels like a hero, not wanting the ‘chosen one’ status. He didn’t believe in the Fremen prophecy and only wanted to help them. However, his growth in power led him to have his revenge on the Harkonnens and Corrinos.
He threatened them with his clairvoyant abilities, making them believe that he was the messiah they had been waiting for. Using their blind faith in him, he took the emperor’s throne.
One could debate that the Harkonnens and Corrinos deserved their fate after their treachery, and Paul was right to avenge his house. However, Frank Herbert wrote his novels in a way that no side in the story was a hundred percent right, not even Paul’s.
Why do people think Paul Atreides is a villain in Dune 2?
Many people think that Paul Atreides is a villain in “Dune 2” because of how he rose to power, using the Fremen and their trust to do his bidding, and because of the consequences of his actions.
While Paul isn’t a purely evil villain, many fans believe that he is, especially after the way he took the throne by betraying his one true love, Chani. Even though this was a major deviation from the books, his actions tied into Herbert’s point.
“Dune 2” still largely keeps him on a side that feels positive and in his favor. But his actions will have major consequences in the future. “Dune 3,” which will be inspired by “Dune Messiah,” will see countless deaths in Paul’s holy war led by his Fremen followers, as he conquers the cosmos to become the most powerful emperor to have ever existed.
Many readers of “Dune Messiah” even believe that Paul is the worst thing that could have happened to the universe. This is because of the large number of deaths his actions cause. Hence, many believe that Paul may not be the trademark ‘chosen one’ that many on Arrakis worship him as.
