It finally happened. Dunewas an allegedly unfilmable novel that defeated the likes of Alejandro Jodorowsky, Ridley Scott, and Peter Berg. David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation is beloved among a certain segment and derided by others — including its clearly disappointed director. But with Denis Villeneuve’s two-part adaptation, Frank Herbert’s epic of rebellion and bad leaders finally became a mainstream success. And with five more books in Herbert’s original series — to say nothing of the expansions spearheaded by his son Brian Herbert — there is plenty of material for Legendary and Warner Bros. Pictures to mine. Thankfully, Villeneuve was also interested in making one more film in the series, the aptly titled Dune: Part Three.
But where do you go after Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) succeeds in his goals, gets revenge for father, unleashes the Fremen upon the galaxy, and ends up Emperor of the Known Universe? The answer may be surprising andthe reason Villeneuve remains engaged in the text. Slight spoilers: it will not be pleasant for people who enjoyed the hero’s journey of the first two films.
Which means it’s time to get back on the Golden Path, sip some Water of Life, and see if we can’t predict what will become of Dune: Part Three.
The Sleeper Has Troubled Dreams
The film is, of course, based on Herbert’s second book, Dune Messiah. Set a number of years into Paul’s reign as emperor — 12 years in the case of the film adaptation — it details a plot to assassinate him while Muad’Dib also despairs at the current state of affairs. Aas he still has his prescient visions, he is dimly aware of the forces marshaling against him, but those visions are clouded for a very specific reason. Also, he might allow the attempt on his life to go forward so he can avoid making a choice that will impact the future of humanity.
Weighty stuff to be sure — weightier even than everything implied in the first book — but Dune Messiahis the crux of Herbert’s own belief about leaders and hero worship. It is, in some ways, the inverse of Duneand one of the harder elements of the overall narrative to bring to the screen. And that’s considering a subsequent book features a human-worm hybrid.
At the same time, Villeneuve has been seeding this turn all along. His Paul is not nearly as heroic as Lynch’s (played in the 1984 film by Kyle MacLachlan) and even more uncertain about his role in the future than Herbert’s depiction in the first book. Also, his relationship with Chani (Zendaya) is on far shakier ground than his novel counterpart. In fact, her departure from the great hall at the end of Dune: Part Twois one of the biggest alterations from the text so far, and it may lead to a specific divergence from Dune Messiah in regards to their relationship.
Or it might be glossed over as Villeneuve has plenty of other ideas to tackle. In fact, the teaser released on March 17 indicates this will be the case.
Dune Messiahalso introduces a new faction: the Bene Tleilaxu, a group of humans known for genetic engineering and their shape-shifting Face Dancers. It also offers a deeper look into the Spacing Guild and the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood via some named characters we’ll talk about in a bit. As one of the shorter Dunenovels, it could provide Villeneuve greater creative freedom to make his points about Herbert’s subjects. Although, as Dune: Part Twoproved with leaving Paul’s sister unborn, the filmmaker is already willing to make big changes to the text. Will he continue that trend here?
Arrakeen Air
As in the Duneduology, Part Three will be primarily set on Arrakis, also known as Dune, with potential sojourns to planet Wallach IX – home of the Sisterhood’s school for Reverend Mothers — where the conspirators meet in the early pages of Dune Messiah, and potentially planet Tleilax itself. We imagine Villeneuve will be interested in making those places as distinct as Geidi Prime was in Part Two. In fact, creating those visual contrasts may be the biggest appeal to leave Arrakis for a few scenes. The teaser offers glimpses of the Fremen holy war, so other planets may also appear.
But even the new seat of power in the universe will feel different from the first two films. Per Herbert’s own descriptions, capital city Arakeen is more modern and urban, as many of the Fremen come there to live a more mainstream life and exist closer to Muad’Dib, who has returned to the castle his father took control of back in the year 10,191 A.G. It’s easy to see Villeneuve employing the changes to Arrakeen as visual proof of both Paul and the Fremen losing their way. Or, perhaps, the urbanized city will appear visually attractive to viewers even as the rot inside is exposed. At least one shot in the teaser offers a glimpse of this more modern Arrakeen.
Like we said before, Dune Messiah pivots the story and emphasizes the author’s core theme. It just remains to be seen how far the director wants to push that narratively or visually.
Cast Of Conspirators
Naturally, a number of familiar faces return in Part Three. Chief among them, Chalamet as Paul “Muad’Dib” Atreides. Now emperor of the universe, he sits on a troubled throne with the pressures of leadership always pressing at his brow. Indeed, he is not just the ruler of a spacefaring empire, but also the promised religious deliverer of the Fremen. It’s a lot to take on and it is unclear if Chani, played by the returning Zendaya, will be willing to help him.
As we discussed earlier, Part Twoends with her leaving Paul’s side instead of embracing her role as royal consort (as seen in the original novel). Villeneuve’s expansion of the character in the duology is one of the most appealing elements, with Chani constantly questioning Paul’s motives while also finding him irresistible. It unquestionably makes her more compelling on screen, but less likely to make the same sacrifices as her book counterpart. That could have wide implications going forward. Again, though, the teaser suggests her anger has subsided in the 12 years between films. The discussion about their potential child’s name definitely points toward a certain event from the novel.
Part of Chani’s heartbreak at the end of Part Twois Paul’s decision to marry Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) to legitimize his claim to the Golden Lion Throne. In the book, Paul immediately makes it clear to Chani that he will never, ahem, “take Irulan to wife” (to borrow a phrase from J.R.R. Tolkien) and that Paul’s heir will be Chani’s child. In the film, though, this discussion never takes place, as Chani flees believing Paul has shown his true aristocratic nature.
In Part Three, Pugh returns as Irulan, now the chronicler of her husband-in-name-only’s history and accomplishments. At the same time, as Part Twomade clear, she is Bene Gesserit and may be working under their orders to complete a very specific goal.
Remember the Kwisatz Haderach? Yeah, that’s still in play.
On the Sisterhood front, Rebecca Ferguson returns as Lady Jessica. Although, if the film follows her story in Dune Messiah, things have changed dramatically for her. Also, making her proper on-screen debut is Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides. She made a brief appearance in Part Twoas part of Paul’s visions, but the character remained in utero the whole time. Now, she gets to be a character outside of her mother’s womb and, as outlined in Dune Messiah, she has a potentially problematic storyline depending on how much Villeneuve and his partners choose to adapt. For one thing, Alia is motivated by an action she took in the first book that did not occur in Part Two. As such, her goals may be wildly different. In fact, is it possible she views herself as the Kwisatz Haderach? The teaser offers a glimpse of the religious devotion growing around her, although it is unclear if the faithful Fremen will dub her “St. Alia of the Knife,” as the blade of that title is another dropped plot point from Part Two.
Also returning: Javier Bardem as faithful Fremen Stilgar, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, and Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho. Yes, somehow, he returns despite very clearly dying in Part One. The exact nature of that return is crucial to the plot and currently a spoiler, so we’ll move on to characters not yet confirmed.
In the book, the Revend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam remains a key player and “enjoys” a forced stay in Arrakeen. As the teaser confirmed, Charlotte Rampling is returning, but it is unclear if she will end up as Paul’s “guest.” Another new character introduced in the book is a Guild Navigator named Edric. His function relates back to Paul and, well, we just don’t know if this element will be rendered in the film. Especially considering Villeneuve planted something in Part Twothat could easily take Edric’s place.
Remember Léa Seydoux’s strange appearance as Lady Margot Fenring, the Bene Gesserit sister in Part Twotasked with preserving the Harkonnen royal line? There might be more to that even if Herbert himself discarded the Fenring plot in favor of Edric. Seydoux, however, is not in the Part Threecast list.
One new character we can confirm is Robert Pattinson’s Scytale. The Face Dancer is a big part of Dune Messiahand, potentially, a recurring persona in subsequent films. Additionally, Ida Brooke and Nakoa Wolf-Momoa are set to play Ghanima and Leto II, respectively — names that carry hugeimplications for the future of Dune. And as the teaser confirmed, Isaach de Bankolé will appear as Farok, a Fremen tired of the war Paul began and disappointed in the rapid changes to his society.
Makers Of Dune
As discussed up top, Villeneuve returns to direct Part Three. He has also stated this will be his last Dunefilm, as it wraps up Paul’s story. Having him back in the director’s chair is a huge vote of confidence for a story that defies the usual action-adventure tropes. Joining him in the writers’ room is Brian K. Vaughan, co-creator of Y: The Last Manand a veteran of Lost. Villeneuve also serves as an executive producer alongside Richard P. Rubinstein, John Harrison, and Jessica Derhammer.
Villeneuve also takes on a producing role with producers Thomas Tull, Mary Parent, Byron Merritt, Tanya Lapointe, Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr., Cale Boyter, Brian Herbert, and Kim Herbert. Other crew include director of photography Linus Sandgren of Saltburn and the recent Wuthering Heights, production designer Patrice Vermette (a long time Villeneuve collaborator from Dune, Prisoners, and more), Duneduology editor Joe Walker, and costume designer Jaqueline West, also of the two-part Duneadaptation.
Also returning: composer Hans Zimmer to provide more deep bass and ululating refrains to underscore the saga of Arrakis.
The Trap Is Set
Dune: Part Threeis currently set for release on December 18, 2026. It is a big day for movies, with Avengers: Doomsday also expected to debut. In fact, both Chalamet and Robert Downey Jr. have suggested calling it “Dunesday” and creating a Barbenheimer-like sensation. It remains to be seen if the two studios will agree to such a viral moment, though.
Beyond the film’s release, there is still a future in Dune. Between three films and the ongoing television series Dune: Prophecy, it is highly likely Warner Bros. and Legendary will want to continue upon the Path glimpsed by Paul. The next natural extension is a film adaptation of Herbert’s Children of Dune, which, as the title implies, continues the story with Paul’s heirs taking central focus. It could also serve as a natural end point despite Herbert’s three subsequent Dunenovels. Following Children, the story moves 3,000+ years into the future with new characters, and it becomes increasingly esoteric as Herbert’s concept becomes even more grandiose. And with Villeneuve departing for a James Bond picture, it is unclear if anyone can wrangle the ideas in those remaining books into something audiences will want to see.
We, of course, remain ever hopeful, as Duneexplores so many wild ideas about leadership, consciousness, and more. Villeneuve already opened the door to investigate those themes, so it just needs the right filmmaker to come along and continue that journey.
Dune: Part Three opens in theaters on December 18, 2026.
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