Dune 2 is now behind us, and with the film setting up a holy war, minds are already turning to the Dune 3 release date. Here’s everything we know about the sci-fi movie.
Anticipation has been sky-high for Dune since Denis Villeneuve announced that he’d be splitting Frank Herbert’s Dune books into multiple movies.
The first film set a lot up, but in ending the story at the halfway point, the movie climaxed with less of a bang and more of a whimper.
But the Dune 2 release date has come and gone, and Part Two improves on its predecessor in many ways, as we wrote in Dexerto’s Dune 2 review. So what’s happening with Dune 3’s story and cast, and when is it coming out?
When is the Dune 3 release date?
Dune 3 does not have a release date or even a rough window yet.
However, a recent update from director Denis Villeneuve provides hope that the third and final chapter will arrive sooner than what was initially thought.
Thankfully for fans of his work, Dune 3 has been given the green light. As Variety first reported in April 2024, a third Dune film is confirmed to be in the works, with Villeneuve set to round out his trilogy.
While the director had planned to take a break from working on Dune 3 to pivot off to other projects, he confirmed in an interview with Deadline on October 17, 2024, that he will ”go back behind the camera faster than [he] initially thought.”
However, this doesn’t mean fans should expect a release within the next year. “These movies take a lot of time to be made, so it’s best not to say out loud when I might shoot.” Stated Denis, before he then jokingly added, “Unfortunately, I’m supposed to shut up.”
Dune 3 cast: Who’ll be in it?
The Dune 3 cast list hasn’t been announced. But it would surely star Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides and bring back the main cast from Part Two.
It sounds like if and when Villeneuve is ready to continue, the cast is on board. Timothée Chalamet told Total Film, “The idea excites me very much. If the time and opportunity come to complete the story with Messiah, I think we’re all super enthusiastic about that.”
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While Zendaya told Fandango, “Would we be down? I mean of course. Any time Denis calls it’s a yes from me.” I’m excited to see what happens. I started Messiah and I was like, ‘Woah, I’m only shooting the first movie. Let me just go back to the first one.’ It’s so much to take in, but there are no better hands with better care and love for it than Denis.”
Two faces we can expect to see more of are Florence Pugh and Anya Taylor-Joy, who have much bigger parts in the Messiah book.
When asked if fans can expect Chalamet, Zendaya, Pugh and Taylor-Joy to return, Denis was steadfast that they would all be back. “They have to return. They are with the main cast when it happens,” he revealed.
The potential Dune 3 cast list:
- Timothée Chalamet as Duke Paul-Muad’Dib Atreides
- Zendaya as Chani
- Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica
- Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck
- Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan Corrino
- Dave Bautista as Count Glossu Rabban
- Christopher Walken as Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV Corrino
- Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot Fenring
- Souheila Yacoub as Shishakli
- Charlotte Rampling as Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam
- Javier Bardem as Stilgar
- Babs Olusanmokun as Jamis
- Roger Yuan as Lieutenant Lanville
- Alison Halstead as Maker Keeper
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides
Dune 3 plot: What will it be about?
Dune 3 will likely cover the book Dune Messiah. It was a divisive sequel when it hit shelves, with Paul Atreidis as much of a villain as a hero in the story as he begins a holy war.
And while it is unclear what exact plot points the next film will focus on, director Denis Villeneuve has confirmed that the new movie “will finish the Paul Atreides arc.”
In Messiah, Paul Atreides defeated House Harkonnen and Emperor Shaddam IV, but his victory caused war and the death of billions throughout the universe.
With chaos and betrayal surrounding him, Paul faces opposition from former allies and accepts a gift from the Tleilaxu, a guild of genetic manipulators.
He intends to find a glimmer of hope for peace and friendship. However, this decision may result in him losing the Fremen‘s support, his most dedicated supporters, and put his empire at risk.
For more sandworms and blue eyes, find out how to watch Dune 2, when to pee during Dune 2, and see what Dune gaming crossovers you can play.