The Future of Dune Franchise: Director Teases Dune 3 Development Amidst Dune 2 Release Delay

Summary

Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve reveals his keenness to helm a third installment of the Dune franchise, particularly a cinematic interpretation of Dune: Messiah, expressing his fervent aspiration to realize a complete trilogy.

Villeneuve's approach in adapting Dune shifts the emphasis towards portraying Paul's ascent to power as a cautionary tale rather than a conventional hero's journey. Further reinforcing this perspective, a third film would solidify this overarching theme.

It appears that Warner Bros. acknowledges the strong potential for a franchise within the Dune series, as evidenced by their plans for a television spinoff. Moreover, Villeneuve's strong commitment to creating a Dune trilogy highlights the studio's dedication to exploring this narrative universe.

Dune: Part Two director Denis Villeneuve expresses his keen interest in creating another film beyond the second installment. Despite the recent delay of the sequel from November 3 to March 15, 2024, Villeneuve envisions expanding Frank Herbert's Dune even further. While the TV spinoff, Dune: The Sisterhood, is already confirmed, it seems that the franchise will not stop there.

In an interview with Empire Magazine, Villeneuve shares his ultimate dream of continuing the movie series with Dune 3, based on Dune: Messiah. He explains that this book was a response to readers considering Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet) as a hero. Villeneuve discloses that he has already started working on a potential script for a third and final movie in the trilogy.

Making a trilogy would be my ultimate dream. Dune Messiah was penned as a response to the public's perception of Paul Atreides as a hero, which was not his intention. In my adaptation of Dune, I aim to convey his original concept that it serves as a cautionary tale. Subsequently, the books delve into more abstract and mystical realms. I must emphasize, however, that they do exist in a tangible written form.

It's Not The First Time Villeneuve Revealed His Dune Trilogy Plans

Villeneuve's life-long dream of adapting Herbert's Dune has finally come true as he split the movie into two parts. However, he had always kept the possibility of a third movie open. During an interview with Radio-Canada when the first film premiered, Villeneuve expressed interest in adapting Dune: Messiah and hinted at a potential trilogy centered around Paul Atreides' story. At that time, he didn't want to think beyond that. Now, it seems that his dream is becoming a reality.

When the first part of Dune was released amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Villeneuve strongly criticized Warner Bros. for choosing to simultaneously release the movie in theaters and on the then-named HBO Max streaming service. He believed that this decision would disrupt the movie's long-term plans and result in piracy prevailing. However, the film performed exceptionally well in cinemas and received both commercial and critical acclaim, leading to the greenlighting of a sequel just a few days after its release.

Warner Bros. appears to recognize the significant potential of the book series, as they have already planned to expand the universe with Dune: The Sisterhood and director Villeneuve has strongly hinted at a third movie. The future of the Dune franchise beyond that remains uncertain, as Villeneuve remarks that Herbert's later books become more esoteric and less captivating compared to the first two novels. Nonetheless, completing Dune: Messiah would fulfill Villeneuve's lifelong dream, as the second installment, Dune: Part Two, is scheduled for release on March 15.