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Director Denis Villeneuve has proven that Frank Herbert’s epic saga, Dune, can captivate audiences as a major cinematic experience. The first installment of Dune, despite its launch during the pandemic, grossed an impressive $410.7 million globally after being made available for streaming on Max. The sequel, Dune: Part Two, reached even greater financial success in 2024, with a worldwide box office of $714.7 million, alongside critical acclaim—scoring an 83% on Rotten Tomatoes and securing six Oscars from ten nominations for the first film, and achieving a 92% score and winning two Oscars from five nominations for the sequel.
Initially, Villeneuve had expressed skepticism regarding the timely production of a third film, Dune 3. However, he has now reversed this stance and is actively developing the screenplay for the sequel, which will be based on Dune Messiah, the second book in Herbert’s series. This will mark the first cinematic adaptation of this 1969 novel.
With pre-production of Dune Messiah now underway, here’s a compilation of everything we currently know about Dune 3.
How did Dune: Part Two conclude?
In the finale of Dune: Part Two, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) has succeeded in overthrowing Emperor Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken) and has taken his eldest daughter, Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh), as his consort. However, his ascension is fiercely contested by other powerful houses, igniting a conflict for dominance within the empire. Meanwhile, Chani (Zendaya), Paul’s love interest, grows disillusioned and chooses to return to the desert landscapes of Arrakis.
What unfolds in Dune Messiah?
Set twelve years later, Dune Messiah presents Paul as a consolidated emperor. He is venerated as a religious leader among his followers, particularly the Fremen of Arrakis. Nonetheless, his reign faces numerous dangers, including conspiracies aimed at dismantling his power and eliminating House Atreides, a struggle that has its roots in events from years prior.
Which characters are reprising their roles in Dune Messiah?
Key returning cast members include Chalamet, Zendaya, and Pugh, all of whom play pivotal roles in the storyline. Notably, Jason Momoa has confirmed his return as Duncan Idaho, despite the character’s demise in the first film; the novel provides a narrative rationale for his reappearance.
Anya Taylor-Joy, who made a brief appearance in Dune: Part Two as a vision of Paul’s deceased sister, Alia, is also expected to return. While the time jump means that Alia would not age into Taylor-Joy’s character just yet, there is anticipation that she will reprise the role in some capacity.
Who is joining the cast of Dune Messiah?
Recent updates suggest that Robert Pattinson, known for his roles in The Batman and Mickey 17, is in discussions to join the cast of Dune Messiah in a significant role. Should negotiations conclude favorably, Pattinson would portray Scytale, a cunning adversary who seeks to undermine Paul’s reign through manipulation and deceit against those closest to the emperor.
When can we expect Dune Messiah to be released?
Although Warner Bros. has not yet established a release date for the third film, Villeneuve has signaled a desire to commence production promptly. Speculations suggest a potential release in 2026; however, to achieve this timeline, Dune Messiah would need to begin filming either this year or the next. Currently, the project remains in the casting process, making a release before 2027 unlikely.
In the interim, fans can enjoy Season 2 of Max’s Dune: Prophecy, a prequel series set 10,000 years prior to the first film, focusing on the Bene Gesserit, the mystical order from which Paul descends.
Will there be a Dune 4?
The possibility exists, particularly if Dune Messiah performs well at the box office, similar to its predecessors. The third novel, Children of Dune, released in 1976 and centering on Paul’s offspring, has previously been adapted into a television miniseries. However, Villeneuve has stated his intention to conclude his involvement with the franchise following Dune 3. If Warner Bros. opts to extend the series beyond this installment, a new director would need to be appointed.
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www.goldderby.com