Hollywood star Robert Pattinson requested a distinct extraterrestrial makeover for his character in Denis Villeneuve's upcoming sci-fi epic Dune: Part Three. Pattinson plays Scytale, a deadly shape-shifting assassin belonging to the genetically engineered Bene Tleilax group. While director Villeneuve initially preferred a grounded, human appearance, he eventually embraced a stark transformation featuring bleached hair and shaved eyebrows.
A Push for an Unearthly Aesthetic
Pattinson's desire to play eccentric characters is well established across his filmography, especially alongside a packed slate that includes projects like The Drama, The Odyssey, Primetime, and the ongoing production of The Batman: Part II. Joining the world of Arrakis, sandworms, and psychic precognition provided another opportunity to dive into cinematic weirdness. When discussions began regarding his role as Scytale, Pattinson urged Villeneuve to let him look like an alien rather than an ordinary human.
Initially, Villeneuve resisted the idea, believing that the assassin should blend seamlessly into society and look identical to Pattinson's natural appearance. Pattinson admitted to feeling disappointed by the initial creative direction, as he hoped to completely distance the character from standard human traits.
The Chilling Visual Transformation
Shortly before principal photography commenced, Villeneuve reconsidered the visual identity of Scytale and emailed Pattinson with a revised concept. The director proposed giving the character an unsettling, blank appearance by bleaching his hair completely and removing his eyebrows. Pattinson enthusiastically accepted the change, recognizing that it gave the assassin an otherworldly, lab-engineered aesthetic.
Reflecting on the final look, Pattinson noted that the character resembles something grown inside a laboratory, possessing a subtle, childlike quality beneath his eerie appearance. This unique visual blend aligns Pattinson's performance style with Frank Herbert's complex sci-fi lore.
A Star-Studded Conclusion to the Sci-Fi Trilogy
The third installment of the franchise features a massive ensemble cast alongside Pattinson, including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Momoa, and Florence Pugh. Dune: Part Three is scheduled to arrive in movie theaters on December 18.
