Chani and Paul might have one set of common ancestors if this Dune theory turns out to be on the money.

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune is a story that adapted Frank Herbert’s seminal novel, which looked into feuding families with intricate lineages and secret heritages. Paul Atreides, the Duke of Arrakis, draws his own lineage from the Atreides family through his father, and also from the Harkonnens, through his mother. However, one theory suggests that his family tree might be further convoluted, and even have a branch that directly leads to Chani.

Credits: Timothée Chalamet in Dune / Warner Bros.

Dune: Prophecy has been unraveling the history of the world of Dune, alluding to the various clans and prophecies that will come into play 10,000 years in the show’s future. This includes the everlasting feud between the Harkonnens and the Atreides, while also adding the Fremen into the mix, possibly hinting at a shared heritage between Chani and Paul.

Mikaela and Kieran Atreides could be Paul and Chani’s common ancestor

Chani and Paul || Credit: WB

A theory, posted on Reddit, suggests that despite being a sister, Mikaela might be a common ancestor, through her love for Kieran Atreides (which could lead to a relationship between the two), leading to Chani and Paul sharing an ancestor, which could completely change the way audience look at the most important couple in Dune.

If true, the theory could in fact align with the Sisterhood’s motives to control the various houses in the Empire, and could also factor into their plans about the Lisan al Gaib plot going forward. The theory states that Mikaela could actually be an ancestor of Chani, which would make her relationship with Kieran a lot more consequential, given that Kieran would be the ancestor of Paul Atreides.

Chani and Paul’s offspring might have a more difficult time existing in Denis Villeneueve’s Dune universe

Chani in Dune | Warner Bros

Dune: Part Two was hailed as one of the greatest sequels in modern media, being compared to the likes of The Godfather II and The Two Towers. However, the film managed to set up some challenges for itself going forward, given that there is a slew of developments in Dune: Messiah that require the characters to be in places that they are not in by the end of the sequel.

Chief among them is Chani, whose rivalry with Princess Irulan drives Paul’s plot, which focuses on siring offspring with Chani and mitigating the damage the lack of an heir does in his court, thirteen years after he ceased power from the Padishah Emperor.

However, the films have specifically placed Chani outside the reach of Paul and the Atreides, and she might not be returning anytime soon. This makes the visions of her dying in childbirth with Paul’s children all the more unlikely, but Villeneuve probably has something up his sleeve to amend that.

Dune: Prophecy can be streamed on Max