Dune: Part II begins filming in Jordan, but with a 'notable lack of Arab actors'

Dune: Part II is set to begin filming in locations across the Middle East this summer, following criticism of a lack of Arab representation in the first installment of the blockbuster series. 

Wadi Rum will act as the staging for a distant planet in the Dune follow-up, while locations in Abu Dhabi will also feature in the sci-fi sequel. 

Wadi Rum has been a popular location with Arab filmmakers for decades,  with the ancient nearby city of Petra also making a star appearance in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.  

Sci-fi films including Star Wars, The Martian and Transformers have all used the Jordanian desert landscape as cinematic backdrops in the last ten years. 

Following criticism of a lack of MENA representation in the first Dune film, the Hollywood star-studded cast for the follow-up still contains no Arab actors in key roles.

Suheila Yacoub, a French-born actress with Tunisian heritage, will play the supporting role of Shishakli - and is the only actor with links to the MENA region. 

The first installment of the Dune series also received staunch criticism for engaging in ‘cinematic Arab appropriation’. 

"The most overriding issue is the total lack of significant Middle Eastern and North African representation in the cast despite the very clear influence of MENA, Islamic and Arabic culture," wrote critic Hanna Flint about the first installment. 

The original sci-fi series, written by author Frank Herbert, is said to draw significant inspiration from the Tunisian philosopher and historian Ibn Khaldun, and his book on Islamic history The Muqaddimah. 

Despite repeated calls for more prominence for Arab actors in Dune: Part II, Villeneuve’s follow-up installment seems to be making the same mistakes as the first. 

Dune: Part II is set to be released worldwide in late 2023. 

The New Arab has approached Villeneuve's agent and the film's production company for comment on the criticism.