Dune: Part Two - Everything You Need to Know

(Updated 02/16/2024)

At last, DUNE: PART TWO is nearly here! The movie adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel, the first in a series of sci-fi books, was split into two parts. The first movie, DUNE, released in 2021, was a triumphant blockbuster and A-lister showcase. PART TWO will be even bigger and, reportedly, better.

DUNE: PART TWO features a lot more action, to begin with. The cast has also grown, and the additions are exciting. It's like everyone is looking to get in on the spice craze. In addition to all the cast members whose characters survived the first movie, there are new players such as Florence Pugh, everyone’s favorite May Queen and March sister, who plays the Emperor's daughter, Princess Irulan.

Here’s everything you need to know about DUNE: PART TWO, including the latest trailer.

What's the Dune: Part Two Release Date?

DUNE: PART TWO will open exclusively in movie theatres on March 1.

Watch the New Trailer for Dune: Part Two

The first trailer for DUNE: PART TWO centered on a major event in the movie: The first time Paul Atreides summons one of the massive sandworms to ride. Now the latest trailer, which you can see just above, gives us a lot more context around that important event even as it promises more of the character conflict that drives a simmering three-war between the Fremen, the Harkonnens, and the Imperial family.

There are glimpses of characters old and new, with some special attention paid to Feyd-Rautha, the brutal Harkonnen warrior who duels Paul at the climax of the story.

And If you'd like to see even more, you can watch the "extended sneak preview" below, which features interview clips with the cast and loads of new footage.

The Dune: Part 2 Cast

In addition to returning main and supporting cast members from the first film — Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem — some new actors have signed on.

Florence Pugh plays the aforementioned Princess Irulen, the Emperor’s daughter, and Léa Seydoux plays the Bene Gesserit Lady Margot. (That latter character is relatively minor in the books, and she has been minimized or skipped over in past adaptations. She is featured in the trailer, however.) The iconic Christopher Walken — seen in the new trailer — plays the Emperor of House Corrino, Shaddam IV, while Souheila Yacoub is the Fremen warrior Shishakli.

Perhaps most exciting is that Austin Butler, star of ELVIS, plays the menacing Feyd-Rautha, nephew of Baron Harkonnen and Arrakis’s planned successor. Feyd-Rautha is the villainous contrast to Paul’s hero figure and was played delightfully by rock icon Sting in David Lynch’s take on DUNE back in 1984.

We believe Austin Butler has more than what it takes to fill those crazy shoes, having shown his chops and then some with ELVIS. He has also proven that he knows how to be terrifying, with his small role as Charles Manson disciple Tex in Quentin Tarantino’s ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD.

What is the Plot of Dune: Part Two?

DUNE: PART TWO picks up directly where DUNE left off, with Chalamet’s Paul Atreides and Ferguson’s Lady Jessica joining Chani and the Fremen people who are native to the planet Arrakis. Paul will set out to regain control of the planet while perhaps also taking vengeance against the Harkonnens who killed his father, Duke Atreides. All the while, he must fulfill his prophesied destiny and prevent the horrible future he has seen in visions.

At Cinemacon in April 2023, Denis Villeneuve said to expect an "action-packed, epic war movie" that stands apart from the more contemplative tone of the first chapter. Additionally, the visual settings in this film have evolved past those of the first movie. "I didn’t want a feeling of repetition," the director said. "It’s all new sets. Everything is new."

If you don't recall all the plot points from the first movie, you can read our Story So Far recap of DUNE here.

Who Directed Dune: Part Two?

Director Denis Villeneuve once again steers the ship for DUNE: PART TWO. The screenplay is also co-written by the PART ONE writing team of Villeneuve, Eric Roth, and John Spaihts. Hans Zimmer will also be returning to compose the score, with Greg Fraser and Joe Walker back to do cinematographer and editing, respectively. In other words, this should look and feel like a direct continuation of the previous movie.

Dune 2 Is All IMAX

This movie will be even bigger than the first in another way: DUNE PART TWO was fully filmed in the IMAX format. By comparison, Denis Villeneuve shot about 40% of the first movie in IMAX.

Will There Be a Dune: Part Three?

We don't know! We do know that there are five more "Dune" novels by creator Frank Herbert, and many more by his son, Brian Herbert. While the later books get increasingly (and wonderfully), um, "out there," the second proper novel, "Dune Messiah," would make for a great DUNE: PART THREE.

The story in "Dune Messiah" is a very deliberate counterpoint to Paul's heroic journey in the first book, and we would love to see Villeneuve apply his cinematic touch to that material, which has never been adapted for the big screen. The filmmaker has said that he wants to make a third movie, but that he would need some time off after the demanding process of directing the first two films.

DUNE: PART 2 opens on March 1.

All images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.