Dave Bautista To Presumably Whoop Sandworm Ass In Denis Villeneuve’s DUNE (Updated)

It's been a while since we've heard anything regarding Denis Villeneuve's forthcoming Dune duology, but today brings a very interesting update: Dave Bautista, who previously worked with Villeneuve on last year's excellent Blade Runner 2049, has joined the cast. 

SIDE NOTE: This news comes to us simultaneously from Variety and Deadline, both of whom are claiming to have an exclusive on the story. Only Deadline has any actual details, though, so we're gonna give 'em the edge on this one. Sorry, Variety.

As for who Bautista is playing: no one's saying, and this writer isn't well-versed enough in Dune mythology to make any educated guesses. The full extent of my Dune knowledge has been exhausted by the headline above, which imagines Bautista kicking a Sandworm's ass, a comical idea predicated upon the fact that Dave Bautista is a very large and powerful man. Anyw-- 

UPDATE: Well, well, well, Deadline. Looks like you've just been scooped by the folks over at The Hollywood Reporter, who claim Bautista will be playing "Beast" Rabban, "the sadistic nephew of a baron who oversees Arrakis." This character should be familiar to anyone who's seen David Lynch's Dune: as played by Paul Smith, Rabban is this guy:

Nothing further to report on Dune at this time, but obviously we're very hyped about this project, and will be keeping a close eye on its progress going forward. Stay tuned for further updates as they roll in.