(Updated 10/24/2024)
The first two DUNE movies did something once thought impossible: They adroitly adapted Frank Herbert's 1965 novel while adding a few new ideas — and in the process became box office hits. Now a third movie is on the way, and it will adapt Herbert's second book in the "Dune" series, "Dune Messiah."
Right now we have more assumptions than facts about the next movie, which we'll call DUNE: PART THREE until there is official word to suggest a new title. Still, we can tell you a lot about what is likely to happen with the third DUNE movie.
What's the Dune: Part Three Release Date?
While no release date is explicitly set for DUNE: PART THREE, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures have set December 18, 2026 as the date for a "Denis Villeneuve Event Film," which certainly sounds like the next DUNE movie.
Is There a Trailer for Dune: Part Three?
There is no trailer for DUNE: PART THREE. The movie has not even begun to film yet, and likely will not for some time to come. You'll probably see many fan-made trailers on YouTube and social media, but none feature official footage — as there is no official footage to see.
Director Denis Villeneuve recently said that he is writing the movie now, and that he will "go back behind the camera faster than I think to film the third DUNE movie.
What Will the Dune: Part Three Story Be?
At this point we can only assume what the story of DUNE: PART THREE will be, but the novel does give us a lot to work with. In short, the book "Dune Messiah" is kind of a balancing force to the original "Dune" novel. In DUNE: PART TWO we saw that Paul's journey is not necessarily as heroic as some might have assumed, with Chani in particular voicing objections to the nature of Paul's power.
Villeneuve says that the first two DUNE movies are "for me, like one entity. It’s a movie made in two parts. It’s finished, it’s done." Which does not mean the story is explicitly finished — DUNE PART THREE will "finish the Paul Atreides arc," the filmmaker says.
In "Dune Messiah," the full effects of Paul Atreides' ascent to power are revealed… and most of them are not good! War has killed billions and Paul is unable to stop his followers from fighting their way across the universe. Paul struggles to produce an heir as conspiracies attempt to wrest control of the Empire from Paul's grasp. Meanwhile, Paul's sister Alia has become a figure of power among the Fremen. And that's just the setup!
Of course, that's also merely the plot of the book. The film could make any number of changes.
The Story Returns to Arrakis Twelve Years Later
Without knowing what might change from the second "Dune" novel to the third movie, Villeneuve does draw a direct line between them. "Like [Frank] Herbert did with 'Dune: Messiah,'" he says, "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 of Part 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.”
Who Is in the Dune: Part Three Cast?
It is far too early to declare any specifics about much of the DUNE: PART THREE cast, but some of the actors are all but certain. We expect Timothée Chalamet to return as Paul Atreides, Zendaya to be back as Chani, and the returns of Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Javier Bardem as Stilgar, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides.
The plot of "Dune Messiah" also means that Jason Momoa is likely to return as a sort of revived/remade version of Duncan Idaho called Hayt. That's something we've been looking forward to since Momoa was first announced in Villeneuve's first DUNE.
Who Is Making Dune: Part Three?
Against all odds, Denis Villeneuve is returning to direct DUNE: PART THREE. These movies take so much time and effort to create that we were concerned that Villeneuve, who directed the first two, might not want to commit to a third. But we're glad he's ready to move forward with it!
As to other collaborators, we'll have to wait for more details. We hope that cinematographer Greig Fraser, editor Joe Walker, and composer Hans Zimmer all return along with screenwriter Jon Spaihts, costume designer Jacqueline West and production designer Patrice Vermette, all of whom worked on Villeneuve's previous two DUNE movies.
We'll tell you more about DUNE: PART THREE soon!
All images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.