Dune: Part Two Revised a Key Chani Book Detail for Improved Effect
Though Part Two delighted viewers by bringing Frank Herbert's science-fiction tale to life, director Denis Villeneuve wasn't hesitant to make certain alterations even if it respected the book. Like any adaptation, some changes were required to eliminate many of the most cumbersome features of Herbert's book, including Alia Atreides. Though these changes often caused debate among the fans, one change—related to Zendaya's character, Chani—actually strengthened the story.
Dune: Part Two Created Significant Financial Impact
Grossing $711.8 million on a $190 million budget, Part Two had a significant financial impact. The messianic ascent of Paul Atreides in his struggle against the Harkonnen house on the desert planet Arrakis captivated cinemagoers. The mysterious Fremen woman Chani is one of the main people that helped Paul get going. First dubious, Chani guides Paul into the Fremen way of life and helps him win the confidence of preachers and soldiers both. With her plot deviating greatly from the original novel, Zendaya gave the part of Chani fresh vitality.
Dune: Part Two alters Chani's book-based parenthood.
Chani is first presented in Frank Herbert's 1965 book Dune as the daughter of Arrakis's imperial planetologist, Dr Liet Kynes. Joining Duke Leto Atreides and his son on an Ornithopter expedition outside the city of Arrakeen, where they come upon one of Dune's enormous sandworms for the first time, Kynes assists them into their first still-suits. Later on, it comes to light that Kynes is a significant person in Fremen society since his parents come from both Imperial and Fremen origins. Later left dead by the Harkonnens, Kynes passes victim to a lethal spice blow.
Chani is seen as a regular Fremen member, therefore strengthening the initial gulf separating her from Paul. Chani helps Paul accept Fremen customs and the two soon start a romantic relationship after both lose their fathers. But Chani and Kynes have no relationship in Denis Villeneuve's Dune. Rather, Chani is shown as a regular Fremen member, therefore strengthening the initial gulf separating her from Paul. This narrative choice has great ramifications for the story of Dune: Part Two and the particular dynamic of the characters.
Eliminating Kynes From Chani's History Makes Sense For Dune: Part Two
Chani is the vital aid Paul needs to ingratiate himself into the Fremen people in 2024's Dune Part Two. Her film counterpart is only Fremen since her shift in motherhood allows her to have more of an authoritative voice in tribe affairs. Chani can thus defend an outsider like Paul by proving to others that he is not a threat like the evil House Harkonnen. Other Fremen tribe members could view Chani as too intimately associated with imperial control if the films maintained the link between her and Liet Kynes.
Chani's background changes also help her to develop personally as a character. Audiences know that Chani had to have battled hard to survive in the hostile desert terrain without the protection of Liet Kynes. Given their less in common without a shared imperial past, her bond with Paul is also more extraordinary. Because of her background, Chani feels more shame when she understands that Paul's ascent will cause conflict and carnage to the Fremen. Dune: Part Two is therefore possibly more emotionally taxing than the first tale.
