20 key differences between Denis Villeneuve's Dune Universe and Frank Herbert's novels 

Sayan
Dune 2 (Image sourced from Warner Bros)
Dune 2 (Image sourced from Warner Bros)

8) Dr. Yueh’s Complexity

Dune (Image sourced from Warner Bros)
Dune (Image sourced from Warner Bros)

Dr. Yueh’s betrayal in the book is deeply personal, driven by his desperation to save his wife, Wanna, from Harkonnen's captivity. The films simplify his character, portraying him as a pawn manipulated by the Baron without delving into his internal conflict. This change lessens the emotional impact of his actions and reduces the tragic depth of his betrayal. In the book, Yueh’s struggle adds emotional weight to House Atreides’ downfall, whereas the film treats his role as a straightforward plot device, making his character feel underdeveloped.

Love movies? Try our Box Office Game and Movie Grid Game to test your film knowledge and have some fun!

Edited by Zainab Shaikh