The popularity of Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi classic Dune on HBO Max and in cinemas brought about a significant amount of world-building. Many people learned about the Atreides family and their legendary blood war with House Harkonnen (or were re-introduced to it in the case of lifelong fans). On the sand-covered surface of the planet Arrakis, this plays out intensely, but many of Herbert’s star-spreading epic’s finer nuances haven’t been given a closer look on the big screen. This makes sense given that the Dune series consists of multiple main books as well as ancillary prequels authored by Kyle Herbert, Herbert’s son.
When taken at face value, the technology of Dune in particular can be somewhat baffling. Butlerian Jihad is to blame for the fictitious world’s lack of conventional computing equipment, yet there are still some highly advanced technologies. For instance, what is the villainous Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgrd) doing wandering around like that? Just how does that operate? Does he have a specific motive for doing it? Although the Baron enjoys drama and elevating himself above others, there are also practical and technological factors at play in his hovering.
In the Dune universe created by Frank Herbert, Baron Harkonnen used to be far more physically fit. The baron’s rise to prominence over House Harkonnen following the death of his father brought him excesses galore. Physically domineering like his nephew, The Beast Rabban Harkonnen (Dave Bautista), the baron was equally as physically domineering. He was left to indulge in his sensual cravings and went to great lengths with food, drink, and sexual adventures. Vladimir Harkonnen aged into a massive man (although some Dune extended universe material insists he was poisoned by the Bene Gesserit), horribly unfit, and unable to walk without the help of his Holtzman Suspensors, which are seen strapped to his body in almost perpetual motion. Obviously, excessive eating and drinking is not kind to one’s waistline.