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Dune: Part Three

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This article is about the third film in the Denis Villeneuve film series. For the third novel in the Frank Herbert book series, see Children of Dune.

Dune: Part Three
Directed byDenis Villeneuve
Screenplay by
Based onDune Messiah
by Frank Herbert
Starring
CinematographyLinus Sandgren
Music byHans Zimmer
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release date
  • December 18, 2026 (2026-12-18)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Dune: Part Three is an upcoming American epic space opera film directed by Denis Villeneuve, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jon Spaihts. The sequel to Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024), the film is based on the 1969 novel Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert. The film stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Jason Momoa—all in returning roles.

The film began production in July 2025, and is scheduled to be released on December 18, 2026.

Cast

Production

Development

In 2011, Mary Parent, vice chair of Legendary Entertainment, and her producing partner Cale Boyter acquired adaptation rights for Frank Herbert's original Dune novel (1965). In November 2016, Legendary acquired the film and TV rights for the Dune franchise.[1][2] Legendary hired Denis Villeneuve to direct a film adaptation of Dune, and later secured a production deal with parent company Warner Bros. Pictures to make a two-part adaptation of the film.[3]

While promoting Dune (2021) at the 2021 Venice Film Festival, Villeneuve confirmed he planned to adapt Herbert's second novel in the series, Dune Messiah (1969), as a part of his franchise if the Dune films were successful.[4] After Dune: Part Two (2024) was greenlit in October 2021, Villeneuve reiterated his hope of creating a film based on Dune Messiah.[5][6] Screenwriter Jon Spaihts confirmed in March 2022 that Villeneuve still had plans for a third film, alongside planned television spin-off projects within the Dune franchise.[7] Villeneuve intends for Dune Messiah to serve as his final Dune film and instalment within his Paul Atreides trilogy.[8] He wanted to take a break prior to producing the film due to being exhausted by directing the films back-to-back, intending to direct another film in between.[9]

Following the release of Dune: Part Two, Legendary CEO Joshua Grode stated that the studio was "engaged" in development.[10] In March 2024, Villeneuve was cautious about making the film, as he wanted to ensure the script was good and said he would make the film only if he felt it was superior to Dune: Part Two.[11] By the next month, the film was confirmed to be in development by Villeneuve and Legendary Entertainment.[12][13] On June 28, 2024, Warner Bros. announced a December 18, 2026 release date for an upcoming film directed by Villeneuve, with The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline Hollywood speculating it was the third Dune film. Deadline Hollywood also stated that work on the script and casting had continued.[14][15] In October 2024, Villeneuve said he was still writing the film and that he expected to begin production sooner than what he previously expected.[16] In December, it was reported that Linus Sandgren was in talks to serve as the cinematographer for the film, replacing Greig Fraser, who previously served as cinematographer on Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024), due to Fraser's commitments on The Batman: Part II (2027).[17]

Writing

While writing Dune: Part Two, Villeneuve noted Herbert's original intention to avoid depicting Paul Atreides as a heroic figure, intending for him to critique the idea of the "Messianic figure" and be an antiheroic figure. This impacted how he wrote Paul in Part Two, and said that its ending would eventually set up the sequel.[18][19] As early as August 2023, Villeneuve began conceiving of potential ideas for the film, saying that there were "words on paper". He also expected it to serve as the final film in a trilogy with Dune and Dune: Part Two.[20] By that December, he said that he had almost finished writing the script.[9] Work continued that next month, reiterating the film would conclude the story arc for Atreides and that it would take place 12 years after Part Two.[21] He was still writing the film that October.[16] In February 2025, Villeneuve stated that Chani's heart was "broken" and that the film would begin with the initiation of the "Holy War". He felt a "responsibility" to finish his work on the film after seeing the positive critical reception that Part Two had received.[22]

Casting

Jason Momoa, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Florence Pugh will reprise their roles as Duncan Idaho, Paul Atreides, Chani, and Princess Irulan Corrino, respectively.

In March 2025, Jason Momoa revealed that he would reprise his role as Duncan Idaho from the first film.[23] In April 2025, it was reported that Robert Pattinson was being eyed for a role, with Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh confirmed to return from the previous films.[24] If Pattinson were to sign on, he would play the villain, Scytale.[25] In June 2025, Nakoa-Wolf Momoa (Jason Momoa's son) and Ida Brooke were announced as being cast as Leto II and Ghanima Atreides, respectively.[26] Matthew Belloni of Puck indicated Pattinson would film this installment, then would prepare his schedule in January 2026 for filming his next Batman film.[27]

Filming

Principal photography began on July 8, 2025, at Origo Film Studios in Budapest.[28][29][30] IMAX cameras will be used in the shooting of the film.[31][32] It was previously expected to begin in 2026.[33] A day later, it was announced that the film would be titled Dune: Part Three.[32]

Music

By February 2024, Hans Zimmer had been confirmed to compose the film's score.[34]

Release

Dune: Part Three is scheduled to be released in the United States by Warner Bros. Pictures on December 18, 2026.[35]

References

  1. ^ Busch, Anita (November 21, 2016). "Legendary Acquires Frank Herbert's Classic Sci-Fi Novel Dune For Film And TV". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  2. ^ Kroll, Justin (November 21, 2016). "Legendary Lands Rights to Classic Sci-Fi Novel Dune". Variety. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  3. ^ Kroll, Justin (December 21, 2016). "Blade Runner 2049 Helmer Denis Villeneuve Eyed to Direct Dune Reboot". Variety. Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  4. ^ Casey, Dan (September 3, 2021). "Dune Director Denis Villeneuve Teases Trilogy Plans". Nerdist. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved September 3, 2021.
  5. ^ Davids, Brian (October 28, 2021). "Denis Villeneuve on Dune Success and the Road to Part Two". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  6. ^ Jolin, Dan (January 10, 2022). "Denis Villeneuve talks 'taxing' Dune shoot, identifying with Paul Atreides, sequel plans". Screendaily.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  7. ^ Ellwood, Gregory (March 10, 2022). "Jon Spaihts on a Potential Dune Trilogy & Collaborating With Park Chan-Wook [Interview]". ThePlaylist.net. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  8. ^ Zacharek, Stephanie (January 31, 2023). "Denis Villeneuve Refuses to Let Hollywood Shrink Him Down to Size". Time. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Sharf, Zack (December 8, 2023). "Denis Villeneuve Says Dune 3 Script Is 'Almost Finished,' but 'For My Mental Sanity I Might Do Something' Else in Between". Variety. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  10. ^ McClintock, Pamela (March 5, 2024). "Box Office: Dune: Part Two Makes Major Gains With Younger Adults". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  11. ^ Hewitt, Chris (March 18, 2024). "Dune Part Two: Five Things We Learned from Denis Villeneuve". Empire. Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  12. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (April 4, 2024). "Legendary, Dune Helmer Denis Villeneuve Re-Team on Nuclear War: A Scenario". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  13. ^ Thompson, Jaden (April 4, 2024). "Denis Villeneuve and Legendary Developing Dune 3 and Nuclear War: A Scenario Film Adaptation". Variety. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  14. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike; D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 28, 2024). "Warner Bros & Legendary Date Denis Villeneuve Movie for Holiday 2026; Smart Money Is on Dune 3, and Next Monsterverse Pic Is Early 2027". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  15. ^ Gajewski, Ryan (June 28, 2024). "Denis Villeneuve's Next Film Gets 2026 Release from Warner Bros". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Bamigboye, Baz (October 18, 2024). "Breaking Baz: Denis Villeneuve Reveals He Will Go Back Behind Camera "Faster Than I Think" To Make Third 'Dune' Movie". Deadline. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  17. ^ "Linus Sandgren Replaces Greig Fraser as DP on Dune Messiah". World of Reel. August 19, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  18. ^ Farley, Jordan (January 29, 2024). "Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya Say They're Keen for Dune 3, as Denis Villeneuve Teases Part Two's Ending". Total Film. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  19. ^ Shayo, Lukas (February 4, 2024). "Dune 2 Fixes an Original Book Problem Says Denis Villeneuve: 'Frank Herbert Was Disappointed'". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  20. ^ "Denis Villeneuve Teases Possible Dune: Part Three Based on Dune Messiah: 'There Are Words On Paper' – Exclusive". Empire. August 27, 2023. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  21. ^ Echebiri, Makuochi (January 29, 2025). ""Something Completely Different": Denis Villeneuve Confirms Work on Dune Messiah Has Begun". Collider. Archived from the original on February 11, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  22. ^ Blevins, Adam (February 3, 2025). "'A Responsibility to Finish That Story': Here's Why Dune Messiah Is Moving Forward Earlier than Planned". Collider. Archived from the original on February 6, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  23. ^ McPherson, Chris (March 31, 2025). "Jason Momoa Returns to Arrakis as Fast X Star Joins Dune Messiah". Collider. Archived from the original on March 31, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  24. ^ Kroll, Justin (April 8, 2025). "Dune 3: Legendary Circling Robert Pattinson for New Role in Upcoming Installment". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  25. ^ Couch, Aaron; Kit, Borys (April 8, 2025). "Robert Pattinson Eyed for Villain Role in Dune Messiah". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  26. ^ Grobar, Matt (June 17, 2025). "Nakoa-Wolf Momoa & Ida Brooke Join Dune 3 as Twin Children of Paul Atreides". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 17, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  27. ^ Belloni, Matthew (June 20, 2025). "The Mail Room: Bond Directors, Blumhouse's Saw Deal & Apple's Post-F1 Strategy". Puck. Archived from the original on June 20, 2025. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  28. ^ Cassidy, Mark (July 9, 2025). "Dune: Part Three Officially Begins Filming; Denis Villeneuve Shares First Production Still". Comic Book Movie. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  29. ^ Konwar, Nibir (July 7, 2025). "Denis Villeneuve's Dune 3 officially starts filming today in Budapest". Soap Central. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  30. ^ Wiseman, Andreas; Bamigboye, Baz (February 18, 2025). "Dune 3 Aiming to Shoot This Summer". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 18, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2025.
  31. ^ Lussier, Germain (July 7, 2025). "Denis Villeneuve Will Shoot All of 'Dune Messiah' in IMAX". Gizmodo. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  32. ^ a b Tangcay, Jazz; Murphy, J. Kim (July 8, 2025). "Denis Villeneuve's 'Dune 3' Gets Official Title, Will Be Shot With Imax Cameras". Variety. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  33. ^ Bamigboye, Baz (October 17, 2024). "Breaking Baz: Denis Villeneuve Reveals He Will Go Back Behind Camera 'Faster Than I Think' to Make Third Dune Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 18, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  34. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (February 29, 2024). "Dune 2: Hans Zimmer Talks Composing Paul and Chani's 'Love Theme', Co-Writing 'Gurney's Song' With Josh Brolin and Prepping for Messiah". Variety. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  35. ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (May 22, 2025). "Marvel Pushes Avengers: Doomsday, Secret Wars to Winter 2026, 2027". TheWrap. Archived from the original on May 23, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
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