Dune 3: What We Know So Far

The Dune Franchise and Denis Villeneuve's Vision

Director Denis Villeneuve’s first two Dune movies adapt the first novel in the series, and Dune 3 news means that he could adapt the second, Dune: Messiah. Though there are more than two dozen books that comprise the Dune franchise, only six were written by original author Frank Herbert. The first two novels center on the character of Paul Atreides (Timotheé Chalamet), the crux of Villeneuve’s story as well.

Paul Atreides and Chani in Dune

The Dune story has been adapted in movie and miniseries forms in the past, and Villeneuve has seen a lot of success with the first installment of his Dune trilogy. Dune 3 would be a fitting cap to his trilogy. Dune 3’s story, cast, and release date are still mostly unknown, but it will likely be an adaptation of Herbert's Dune: Messiah.

Jason Momoa in Dune Movie

Dune 3: Cast and Characters

Though Dune: Messiah is set 12 years after the events of the first Dune novel, most of the Dune 3 cast could still see original actors reprising their roles. Timotheé Chalamet would be expected to return as Paul Atreides, Zendaya as Chani, and Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan. The three roles are integral to the Dune 3 story, and it’s logical to think that the same actors would return for the roles.

Paul’s sister Alia also plays a large role in Dune: Messiah, and should in Dune 3 as well, but she is currently an unknown quantity for the movie. The character has been hidden in Dune 2 trailers, and it’s unknown who is even playing the character. In the novel Dune, however, the character is only four years old for much of the story. If Dune 2 has an equally young actor playing the role, Dune 3’s cast might see a recast for the character to age Alia up to her teenage years.