Exclusive: Exciting Updates on Dune 3 - Denis Villeneuve Drops Bombshell!
Dune 3 gains traction as director Denis Villeneuve hints at its progress, suggesting that the highly anticipated sci-fi sequel is already underway
Highlights
Director Denis Villeneuve is already planning for a third film in the Dune series, expressing his desire to make a trilogy.
Villeneuve intends to shift his attention to Frank Herbert's sequel novel, Dune Messiah, for the third film, perceiving it as more of a cautionary tale rather than a heroic narrative. While the release of Dune: Part Two has experienced a setback until 2024, the movie will encompass the latter half of the initial novel, guaranteeing a thrilling and grand-scale war film experience.
Denis Villeneuve is already looking ahead to a third film in the highly anticipated Dune series, despite the fact that Dune: Part Two is not scheduled to be released until next year. When Villeneuve agreed to direct the adaptation of Frank Herbert's iconic novel in 2017, he insisted on splitting it into two parts due to its complexity and length. However, with the uncertainties brought by the pandemic, there was no guarantee that a second film would be greenlit, even with Villeneuve's involvement. Nevertheless, the first film was a success at the box office, and its sequel is expected to be even more profitable.
In an interview with Empire, Villeneuve hinted that progress is being made with regards to the development of Dune 3. "I will say, there are concrete plans in motion," stated the filmmaker, who collaborated with Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth on the initial screenplay and with Spaihts for the sequel (Craig Mazin and Roth contributed to additional material for Dune 2). "If I am successful in completing a trilogy, that would be a dream come true."
Empire reports that Villeneuve has chosen to concentrate on Herbert's sequel novel, Dune Messiah, for his third film. In this story, he aims to counter the perception of Paul Atreides as a hero, aligning more closely with Herbert's original intention of delivering a cautionary tale. Although it hasn't been confirmed, Villeneuve's fondness for the first book makes it highly likely that he will direct Dune 3. However, he acknowledged that if the project were to materialize, it would be his final contribution as the subsequent books veer towards more abstract and complex themes.
For now, the focus remains on Part Two, even though the release date of Dune 2 has been delayed from November 3, 2023, to 2024 due to the ongoing disputes within the Hollywood labor sector. This installment will encompass the latter half of the initial novel, with a heavy emphasis on Paul Atreides' alliance with the Fremen group and his connection with Chani. Describing the film as the "main course" compared to the "appetizer" of the first movie, Villeneuve envisions it as an action-packed, grand-scale war epic.
Dune: Part Two will hit theaters on March 15, 2024, starring a star-studded ensemble consisting of Chalamet and Zendaya in the leading roles as Paul Atreides and Chani. Other notable cast members include Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Charlotte Rampling as Gaius Helen Mohiam, and Javier Bardem as Stilgar. Joining the cast are Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan Corrino, Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha, Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV, Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot, Souheila Yacoub as Fremen leader Shishakli, and Tim Blake Nelson in an undisclosed role.
Source: Empire
