Dune: Part 2 has finally hit the big screens. While the sequel wraps up director Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of the original Frank Herbert novel, it won’t likely be the last movie in this series. For one, VilleNeuve has been busy writing a screenplay based on the sequel book Dune Messiah.
1. Has Dune 3 been confirmed?
Dune: Part Three has been confirmed to be in the works at Legendary. The first two Dune films, directed by Denis Villeneuve, were widely praised upon their release.
While Part One struggled at the box office due to a simultaneous streaming release and pandemic-wary audiences, Part Two made up for it with a strong performance. Part Two is the highest-grossing movie of 2023, having earned $630.2 million globally.
According to a new report from Deadline, the upcoming “Dune: Part Three” is now officially in the works. The announcement also revealed that Villeneuve’s next project after adapting “Dune Messiah” will be “Nuclear War: A Scenario.”
Villeneuve had previously hinted that work on a script for the sequel had already begun. He has long aimed to adapt the second novel in Frank Herbert’s acclaimed sci-fi series.
2. What are the next steps for Dune 3?
Dune: Part Three has a long way to go but is in a positive place.
While Villeneuve’s adaptation of Dune Messiah seemed highly likely, Warner Bros. has not officially approved it yet.
Villeneuve has openly expressed his desire to make a trilogy of Dune movies since before the release of Part One in 2021, and he has already started working on some aspects of Part Three. Even the lead actor, Timothée Chalamet, hinted at a significant Messiah plot point in a 2023 interview.
However, since the release of Dune: Part Two in early March, Villeneuve has been more cautious about discussing the potential for a third movie. During Part Two’s opening weekend, he confirmed he is still working on the script, which he described as “barely an embryo.” Villeneuve later admitted he would only make the third movie if it were better than Part Two.
This is a very high bar, given the overwhelmingly positive response to Dune: Part Two, but Villeneuve’s track record suggests Part Three has promising prospects.
The announcement that Dune: Part Three is entering development is an encouraging first step, but the film still needs to be officially greenlit.
Most likely, director Denis Villeneuve will now focus on finalizing the script and collaborating with his creative team to ensure they have the resources and ability to adapt the material appropriately.
Given the overwhelming success of the first two Dune films, Warner Bros. likely will eventually give the studio’s go-ahead for Part Three. However, the movie’s fate ultimately rests with Villeneuve and whether he feels confident in the source material.
The report suggests Villeneuve’s next project after Dune: Part Three will be an adaptation of a Nuclear War story. This indicates the Dune: Messiah movie is likely a bigger priority for the filmmaker and production company Legendary.
At the same time, Villeneuve has hinted he’d like to make another film before returning to Arrakis, so Dune: Part Three may not arrive until at least 2027.
3. About Dune
Dune (also known as Dune: Part One) is an American sci-fi film based on Frank Herbert’s novel of the same name, directed by Denis Villeneuve.
Part One introduced the planet of Dune/Arrakis, the only place where the enhancer drug “Melange” is found and sought out by many. The Atreides House is sent to the planet as the ruling Duke, as part of their adversaries’ trap. However, the Atreides are aware of the same and aim to defend Dune and their house.
The ensemble cast is made up of Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, David Dastmalchian, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem.
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