Jason Momoa's Franchise Return: From Aquaman to Dune

Jason Momoa's Journey in the Aquaman Franchise

Jason Momoa's leading role as Aquaman in the DCEU franchise began in 2016 with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, followed by Justice League in 2017. Since then, he has starred as the titular character in the 2018 film Aquaman and the 2023 sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The initial reception of the Aquaman sequel suggests that the franchise may not have much more steam. Despite this, Momoa's return to a different franchise is already set up, paving the way for his role in Dune: Part Three.

Dune Duncan Idaho Prequel Show

After a week in cinemas, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's worldwide box office is $126,825,000 against a $205 million budget (via The Numbers). Its predecessor made over $1 billion at the box office with a $160 million budget (via The Numbers). This suggests the appeal for future Aquaman projects is weak. However, Momoa can still be a crucial part of a popular franchise he's already featured in.

Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho in Dune

Timothée Chalamet Is Already Hyping Jason Momoa's Dune 3 Return

In 2021's Dune, Momoa's Duncan Idaho was killed in an attempt to help Timothée Chalamet's Paul Atreides. In a recent interview, ahead of Dune: Part Two's release, Chalamet noted that Momoa would return in Dune: Part Three, per the Frank Herbert novels. There's no confirmation that Dune: Part Three will definitely happen, but it's evidently on the minds of those involved in the Dune franchise.

Denis Villeneuve, the director of the first two films, has expressed excitement about making a third film based on the second novel, Dune Messiah. The script is nearly finished for a third cinematic installment. Should Dune: Part Two beat the first film's $402 million in worldwide box office earnings, the likelihood of a third film is higher, allowing the perfect opportunity for Momoa to reprise his role as Duncan.

How Jason Momoa's Duncan Idaho Can Return In Dune 3

Unlike recasting or using the same actor for new characters in the DCEU, the Dune franchise bringing back Duncan is a vital plot point from the book series. In Dune Messiah, Duncan returns as a ghola made by the group known as the Tleilaxu and given to Paul the emperor. This first version of Duncan as a ghola goes by Hayt and has no recollection of his previous life. Dune: Part Three's story - if strictly following Dune Messiah - would rely on Jason Momoa's Duncan making a franchise return, setting the actor up after Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom's abysmal initial performance.

Hayt is a trained Mentat and can also be controlled by the Tleilaxu using a humming intonation that instigates a kind of hypnotic state. Additionally, he is made to remember his life as Duncan, including his death. This is used as a way to prove the Tleilaxu's technological prowess and tempt Paul into abdicating his throne in exchange for an exact replica of the then-passed Chani.