Dune is one of the most beloved and acclaimed franchises in Hollywood. The second installment, Dune: Part Two, was released earlier and has become a massive success both critically and commercially. Since then, the buzz around a potential thirst installment has been going strong.
If you are a fan of the Denis Villeneuve franchise and want to know when we can expect Dune 3, this article is for you. Here we will be covering all the updates, potential release dates, cast, and other details of the much-awaited third installment.
What Is Dune All About?
Dune is an epic sci-fi action film directed by Denis Villeneuve and is based on the eponymous novel penned by Frank Herbert. The novel was earlier adapted by David Lynch’s film that came out in 1984. Released as a two-part series, the first Dune was written by Villeneuve along with Eric Roth and Jon Spaihts. Dune: Part Two was penned by Villeneuve and Spaihts.
In the first installment, we get to witness Paul Atreides who heads the House Atreides. Duke Leto Atreides is slated to become the head of the desert planet Arrakis. To prevent that, Baron orchestrates an attack on his empire.
Paul Atreides and his mother escape and team up with the people of the Fremen tribe. Dune premiered at the 78th Venice International Film Festival and was released theatrically on October 22nd, 2021. It turned out to be a success and bagged several Oscar awards in different categories.
Its follow-up titled Dune: Part Two was released on March 1st, 2024 after a delay due to the writer-actor’s strike in Hollywood. It ended up becoming equally successful.
What Happened At The End of Dune: Part Two?
The Freman are able to capture the Arrakis by holding Sardaukar in control. Paul murders Baron and ends up challenging Shaddam for the kingdom and the throne. He also wishes to marry Irulan as a favor. Feyd-Rautha fights for Shaddam and gets killed by Paul. Irulan says that she would marry him if he spears her father.
Paul’s capture of the throne is rejected by the Great House. In response, Paul orders an attack on them. Chani leaves and goes on her own on a sandworm.
Is Dune 3 Happening?
Denis Villeneuve had revealed that Dune was planned as a two-part story taken from the novel. However, looking at the success of the franchise, we can expect that a third one will be also greenlit in the near future. The head of one of the studios backing the film has said that if Denis gets the right script then they will go ahead with it.
Apart from that, the director has also hinted about Dune 3, titled Dune: Messiah. He said that if it happens, it will be the last film in the franchise.
He has stated that the film is in the scripting stage but it will take some time to finish. Both Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya have expressed their willingness to do Dune 3 if it happens.
What Can We Expect?
Florence Pugh played the role of Princess Irulan in Dune: Part Two which was a brief role. In the third installment, we can expect her to get a bigger role. Dune 3 will also explore closely how power has corrupted Paul Atreides.
He will turn into a grey character in the film. It can also tap into the lone journey of Chani. Dune Messiah takes place 12 years post the first novel’s story and it chronicles the holy war that started under Paul’s leadership. We can expect Denis to remain faithful to the source material.
When it comes to a release date, there is no official confirmation. But it will take some time since the director spent around six years on the first two Dune films.
Who Will Be In The Cast?
The main cast including Timothée Chalamet (playing Paul Atreides) and Zendaya (as Chani) will be returning. Apart from them, Florence Pugh might have a bigger role as Princess Irulan. Other actors like Charlotte Rampling (Gaius Helen Mohiam), Javier Bardem (Stilgar) and Anya Taylor-Joy (Alia Atreides) are also expected to return.
Conclusion
Dune: Part Two received a positive response from critics and audiences who loved Denis’s adaptation of the epic novel series. People who have read the books know that the story is incomplete right now. We can be hopeful and expect Dune 3 to come out in a few years. Since the second installment ends on a satisfying yet incomplete ending, chances are really high.
