The Dune world that filmmaker Denis Villeneuve has brought to life is unarguably nothing short of incredible. For what it’s worth, it’s at least ten times better than the first live-action adaptation of the novel series of the same name back in 1984. This is why it’s only understandable that fans don’t want this newly established saga to end so soon with Dune 3 being the last part.
If the movie does end up in a trilogy, as Denis Villeneuve said, then Dune 3 will inevitably conclude Timothée Chalamet’s story as Paul Atreides if going by the book, Dune: Messiah. And as heartbreaking as it may be to admit it, Villeneuve’s Dune saga needs to be wrapped up with the third film because the next books in order aren’t the best for live-action adaptations.
All the Reasons Why Denis Villeneuve Should Wrap up Dune Franchise with Dune 3
While it is truly admirable how beautifully Denis Villeneuve has managed to capture and encompass all of the first book in the novel series in two exceptionally created live-action masterpieces, it is only time that he stops. Not after Dune: Part Two, but definitely after Dune 3 (which would be based on the third book, Dune Messiah), for one too many reasons.
First of all, Children of Dune, the third book, more or less entirely encompasses the storylines of Paul Atreides’ twin children, Leto and Ghanima. This one picks up 9 years after Paul disappears mysteriously into the wastelands of Arrakis, with his children getting desired by their manipulative ruling aunt Alia for their prophetic abilities.
Since this storyline does not involve Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides, it would be a massive risk to continue without him. Moreover, since Chani dies shortly after the birth of the twins because of Paul’s wife Princess Irulan Corrino feeding her drugs during her pregnancy to terminate her pregnancy, continuing the story without Zendaya’s Chani would be an equally great risk.
This is why creating a Children of Dune movie as fans are demanding just might not be the most profitable and successful option for Denis Villeneuve.
Yet, even this isn’t all: In the fourth book, God Emperor of Dune, the story gets into further incomprehensible twists. To put it bluntly, Frank Herbert got a bit too inclined toward the bizarre approaches to continue the storyline, as can be deciphered from all the events that are described and followed in God Emperor of Dune.
This book jumps even further forward to 3,500 years later from the events that happened in Children of Dune. During this time skip, a lot has happened, and now the main protagonist is Leto Atreides, who sits on the throne of the planet of Arrakis which has transformed from a full-blown desert to a lush paradise over the years.
Moreover, this book even describes Leto as having been practically driven mad by the concepts of immortality and divination just like his father, which leads to him eventually merging with a literal sandworm to be able to become immortal. For real. And yes, for the record, this sounds as weird to us as it does to you, making it all the more harder for Denis Villeneuve to adapt in live-action.
While these are only a few reasons, they are still a lot considering how we have talked about only two books after Dune: Messiah so far. What’s more is that the events that follow in the remaining two books of the novel series, i.e. Heretics of Dune and Chapterhouse: Dune, are even more twisted than ever before.
Thus, because of all these reasons, it is only fair to say that the immaculate Dune world that Denis Villeneuve has brought to life needs to end after Dune 3 if it still wants to succeed and be remembered as one of the greatest and most valuable Dune adaptations of all times.
Dune 3 could be the perfect end for Paul Atreides’ story
While the above-listed reasons are more than enough to justify just how hard adapting the further storylines in the Dune universe is, what’s more, is that filmmaker Denis Villeneuve feels the same. During an interview with Empire back in 2023, he had said:
“After [Dune: Messiah], the books become more… esoteric.”
That being said, it is only fair to bring a just end to Timothée Chalamet‘s story as Paul Atreides to a note-worthy end. This could be done by sticking closely to the second book in the Dune novel series, Dune: Messiah. And that just might be the plan of the filmmaker.
As fans already know, the first and second installments of the Timothée Chalamet-led saga cover the first book by Frank Herbert in the novel series. Thus, if Denis Villeneuve does get to create a third installment as he is planning, it would be based entirely on Dune: Messiah, book 2.
Assuming that he does get to it, Messiah would notably include Chalamet’s Paul Atreides ruling the entire known universe as the most powerful leader and emperor of all time. During his rule, he faces opposition from the political parties of his kingdom, questioning his absolute power.
This would be an even more intriguing storyline than all the previous ones and would prove to be the perfect way to wrap up Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya‘s story as Paul Atreides and Chani. This way, Dune 3 would also prove to be the ultimate end to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune masterpiece trilogy.
Meanwhile, Dune 3 is set to hit the theatres on the 1st of March, 2024.
