Denis Villeneuve reveals that work onDune 3has already begun and teases the filming timeline for the sequel.Villeneuve directed and co-wroteDuneandDune: Part Two, both of which were well-receivedby critics and general audiences.Dune: Part Twowas also a box office hit that earned more than $700 million worldwide and was the highest grossing movie of 2024 until being surpassed byInside Out 2. Villeneuve previously confirmed his involvement inDune 3, which will adapt Frank Herbert’s novelDune: Messiahand will be Villeneuve’s last adaptation in the franchise.
While speaking withDeadline, Villeneuve shared that"I’m in the writing zone right now"forDune 3and he will"go back behind the camera faster than I think”for the story that will"finish the Paul Atreides arc.“When asked about a potential start date forDune: Messiah’s production, he mentioned"2026,“although he clarified that“these movies take a lot of time to be made, so it’s best not to say out loud when I might shoot.”Check out Villeneuve’s other comments below:
Like Herbert did withDune:Messiah, I think it’ll be a great idea to do something completely different. The story takes place like 12 years after where we left the characters at the end ofPart Two. Their journey, their story is different this time, and that’s why I always say that while it’s the same world, it’s a new film with new circumstances.
What This Update Means For Dune 3
The Adaptation Is Off To A Good Start
Even though production onDune 3is still far off,Villeneuve is already writing the scripts for the highly anticipated sequel. Just as he did withDuneandDune: Part Two, he is taking his time to ensure that he creates compelling adaptations that do the source material justice. His genuine excitement and passion for Herbert’s novels and the intricate universe he created is evident, as is his enthusiasm for how the story continues and changes inDune: Messiah.
Dune: Part Two’s endingmade some prominent but powerful changes from the originalDunenovel, especially where Chani (Zendaya) is concerned. These changes worked well in the film, but nowVilleneuve needs to verify that the changes can also work in his adaptation ofDune: Messiah. Between these changes, the 12-year time jump, and the developments that happen during that time, Villeneuve recognizes how differentDune 3will be from its predecessors, a challenge that excites him as he works on the script and looks ahead to getting behind the camera again.
Our Take On DenisVilleneuve’s Comments
Dune: Messiah Will Be Worth The Wait
It is promising to hear that progress is already underway onDune 3and that Villeneuve even has a tentative production window in mind. The time that was taken on the previous movies paid off, particularly withDune: Part Two, which remains one of thebest movies of 2024.Villeneuve earned plenty of goodwill and trust after the success ofDuneandDune: Part Two,giving him as much time as needed in order to perfect the script forDune 3so it could live up to the movies that came before it.
There Are Plans For Dune 4 But Without Villeneuve
Villeneuve Suggested He Would Leave Room For The Story To Continue
Denis Villeneuve has discussed the unlikelihood of him returning to theDunefranchise followingDune 3,but the filmmaker does seem to have the future of the franchise in mind. When discussing the third movie in the series, Villeneuve mentioned the fact that he feels the need toplant “seeds” so that the story could continue on pastDune 3,even if he was not involved:
I think that it would be a good idea for me to make sure that, in Messiah, there are the seeds in the project if someone wants to do something else afterwards, because they are beautiful books. They are more difficult to adapt. They become more and more esoteric. It’s a bit more tricky to adapt, but I’m not closing the door. I will not do it myself, but it could happen with someone else.
Villeneuve has stamped his own vision on the world ofDune, but he seems comfortable with the idea of allowing others to continue the storyonce he has told the one he is most interested in. It is true that there are elements of the later books that would seem very difficult to adapt to a movie, but Villeneuve being aware of this and wanting to ensure the future of the franchise suggests he has ideas for how to tackle some of those stranger aspects.
It is also comforting to know that Villeneuve is a filmmaker who is focused on telling one story at a time even if he is in a big franchise.Dune: Part Twodid indeed plant seeds for a third movie, but not in a heavy-handed way that distracted from the story already being told.Dune 3will no doubt feel like a complete story on its own while leaving the possibility for more. It will be big shoes to fill for anydirector following Villeneuve into theDuneuniverse, butDune 3could set up an enticing story to follow.
Dune: Part Three
Cast
Dune: Part Three continues the epic saga with Paul Atreides as Emperor Muad’Dib facing threats from political adversaries and internal betrayal. Amidst the turmoil, the stability of House Atreides is jeopardized, while Paul grapples with protecting his lover, Chani, and their unborn child from emerging perils.
