Dune Part 3 is confirmed as in development after the wild success of Dune: Part Two.
Director Denis Villeneuve’s first two “Dune” movies adapt the first novel in the series, and recent news about “Dune: Part Three” suggests he may adapt the second novel, “Dune: Messiah.” Although the “Dune” franchise includes over two dozen books, only six were written by the original author, Frank Herbert. The first two novels focus on the character of Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, who is also the central figure in Villeneuve’s films.
“Dune: Part Two” is making waves at the global box office with an impressive $630 million in earnings worldwide. Featuring a star-studded ensemble cast including Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, the sequel has not only met but exceeded expectations, establishing itself as one of the highest-grossing film of 2024.
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While Denis Villeneuve is eager to complete the Dune story as a trilogy, Warner Bros. has not yet officially approved Dune: Part Three. However, given the very positive reception to Dune: Part Two, it’s expected that WB will green-light the movie in the near future. Additionally, Legendary has confirmed that development is underway on the Part Three script, indicating that it’s only a matter of time before Warner Bros. joins the project.
With the third film already in development, the latest news suggests that Anya Taylor-Joy will return for Dune 3. In a recent interview, director Denis Villeneuve expressed excitement about working with Taylor-Joy during her brief appearance in Dune: Part Two, where she portrayed an older version of Paul’s sister, Alia. Now, Villeneuve hints that Taylor-Joy’s cameo as Alia was just the beginning. “I realized after the fact, she has always been Alia,” explained Villeneuve, suggesting that the A-list actress may have a larger role as Alia in Dune: Messiah.
Dune: Part Three Cast
Even though Dune: Messiah takes place 12 years after the events of the first Dune novel, many of the cast members from the first two films are expected to return for Dune: Part Three. Timotheé Chalamet is expected to reprise his role as Paul Atreides to conclude his captivating storyline, and Zendaya will likely return as his Fremen love, Chani. Furthermore, Florence Pugh’s portrayal of Princess Irulan will also be crucial, as her emotional journey throughout the third book is essential to the rest of the story.
Anya Taylor-Joy’s unexpected casting in Dune: Part Two saw her portraying the role of Paul’s sister, Alia. However, to address the fact that Alia is just an infant in the closing days of Frank Herbert’s Dune, Taylor-Joy appears as a vision of Paul’s sister from the future. This portrayal may present challenges for Dune: Part Three, as Alia is only a tween during the events of the story, even though she has the consciousness of an adult. It remains uncertain whether Taylor-Joy will continue in the role.
Additionally, it’s anticipated that Rebecca Ferguson will return to portray Lady Jessica Atreides, while Javier Bardem is expected to reprise his role as Stilgar, and Josh Brolin will likely return as Gurney Halleck.
What Can Be Expected of ‘Dune 3’?
In Herbert’s book, “Dune Messiah,” the House of Atreides faces significant challenges. Twelve years after Paul becomes Emperor, the galaxy is still engulfed in genocide attributed to him. Despite his efforts, Paul finds himself unable to halt the immense war. His only comfort is Chani, but he worries about her safety as she’s expecting their potential heir. Chani hasn’t been able to get pregnant because Irulan secretly gave her birth control pills. Irulan wants to ensure she continues the Atreides family line. However, this plot differs significantly from the conclusion of Dune: Part Two.
With Chaney falling out with Paul, the future of Dune 3 is in question. Will she ever become his right hand as he has seen in his visions? Or is this just one of the many futures he’s been through? One thing is for sure: Villeneuve’s decision to depart from the rigid plotting of Herbert’s work is no sacrifice. It is an improvement on the source text.
By placing female characters like Chaney at the center of the story, Paul’s villainous era becomes more evident. Although the plots are different, spiritually it is the same story. Dune should always be a story about the dangers of absolute power. The audience realizes this when Paul loses the most important thing in the galaxy. So how does this factor into Dune 3? Only Villeneuve knows for sure. But doubling down on Chaney’s betrayal at the hands of Paul and putting her at the center of the film is the best way to honor Herbert’s work.
Dune 3 potential release date
As of now, Dune: Part Three is still in the process of being written, and no release date has been announced yet. If Dune: Part Two had been released in October 2023 as initially planned, there would have been only two years between the first and second movies. Therefore, we might anticipate Dune: Part Three to potentially arrive around 2026.
