Tim Blake Nelson Has No Bad Blood with Denis Villeneuve Despite Having His Scenes Cut from Dune 2

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune 2 is a roaring success. The film is a hit with audiences and critics and is well on its way to smash the box office. What many people don’t know is that the star-studded cast ensemble for the film could have had more members. Marvel star Tim Blake Nelson had shot some scenes for the film which were later removed.

It’s not easy making films like Dune 2. To encompass the keenly descriptive text from the novels to the screen in a limited time frame requires making some tough calls. Villeneuve made a tough call when he cut Nelson’s scenes from the film.
A still from Dune 2

Tim Blake Nelson’s Scenes Did Not Make It To The Final Cut of Dune 2

Tim Blake Nelson, who will be seen in Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World, was supposed to be in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune 2. The actor’s participation in the movie was announced pretty early on. But the details about the character he was going to play were not revealed.
Tim Blake Nelson
Sadly, that still remains a mystery. Addressing getting his scene cut from the film, Nelson expressed his views in an interview with MovieWeb. He said he felt heartbroken but understood why Villeneuve did what he did. He got candid on the matter, saying:
“I don’t think I’m at liberty to say what the scene was. I’d leave that to Denis [Villeneuve] if he wants to talk about it. I had a great time over there shooting it. And then he had to cut it because he thought the movie was too long. And I am heartbroken over that, but there’s no hard feelings.”

The actor spoke highly of his experience working with Villeneuve:

“I loved it, and I can’t wait to do something else with him and we certainly plan to do that.”

It has been largely assumed that the film was curtailed due to exceeding the time limit. Nelson is taking this in stride and does not seem to have bad blood with the Sicario director.

What Was Tim Blake Nelson’s Role in Dune 2?

A still from Dune 2
There has not been any official announcement regarding Tim Nelson’s role in Dune 2. Fans have guessed it to be Count Hasimir Fenring. In the books, Fenring plays a prominent role in Dune’s sequels. Fenring is one of the closest friends and advisors of Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken) and the husband of Lady Fenring (Lea Seydoux).

While Lady Fenring is part of the film, Nelson’s character isn’t. Lord Fenring will become one of the pivotal characters of the series. The character is also infertile, which is why his wife, Lady Fenring, a Bene Gasserit, carries Feyd-Rautha’s child to continue their lineage after Paul Atreides ascends the imperial throne.

Dune 2 is available in cinemas.