In “Dune: Part Two,” Feyd looks to his evil uncle for inspiration and even goes so far as to imitate him. As such, Butler affected a voice and cadence similar to Skarsgård’s. Indeed, in Villeneuve’ ‘s vision, Feyd may be the one who is incestuously attracted to the Baron. Or, at the very least, in the Baron’s ability to wield power.
The Access Hollywood correspondent, Emily Orozco, asked Butler about the scene wherein the actor kissed Skarsgård on the lips, having just learned that it was improvised. Butler replied modestly, saying, “[The kiss] with Stellan Skarsgård? Oh yeah! He’s game for anything. He’s the best.”
Skarsgård, having appeared in several of Lars Von Trier’s movies, including “Breaking the Waves,” “Dancer in the Dark,” “Dogville,” “Melancholia,” and “Nymphomaniac,” likely isn’t easily surprised and willing to roll with intense improvisation like suddenly being kissed. Indeed, if one looks closely in the scene, they’ll see that Skarsgård kissed Butler back. He just rolled with it.
Orozco asked if Butler likes to shock his co-stars. Butler, in a very actorly way, replied, “It’s always about how you’re trying to affect somebody else.” Butler likely wasn’t thinking that he wanted to be provocative but was merely getting deep into character. The kiss seemed like something Feyd would do. It’s even less likely that Butler wanted to deliberately surprise his co-star, likely knowing the breadth and depth of Skarsgård’s immense acting career.
Without revealing too much, neither Feyd nor the Baron appears in Frank Herbert’s sequel “Dune Messiah.” However in one of Herbert’s sequels, “Children on Dune,” Baron Harkonnen seems to possess the consciousness of his granddaughter. The Baron may yet return.