The Dune series of novels is author Frank Herbert’s genius literary work that got a fitting cinematic adaptation through prolific director Denis Villeneuve. The first film that came out in 2021 was a blockbuster success that justified Herbert’s creation through spectacular visuals and stunning world building. Villeneuve’s Dune 2 therefore comes with the highest of expectations with fans eager to see the director’s magic touch again.
While Herbert wrote a total of 6 novels in the Dune series, the Sicario filmmaker has only touched the tip of the iceberg with the second installment while revealing that he will bring the narrative a full circle with a 3rd and final film. Fans though, are now hoping that he will change his mind and continue developing on the franchise.
Fans Are Desperate to See Denis Villeneuve Take The Dune Franchise Forward
Already creating records before its release, Dune 2 directed by Denis Villeneuve comes with massive expectations after the stupendous success of the first film at the box office. The film will see Austin Butler and Florence Pugh joining Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya in an ensemble cast that is sending fans into a frenzy.
Villeneuve had earlier confirmed that a 3rd film in the Dune series is already in the works based on the novel Dune: Messiah by Frank Herbert. The Prisoners director also hinted that this will be the final film in the series despite Herbert writing a total of 6 novels. After having invested 10 years of his life to 2 films, Villeneuve believed that it was the right time to step away.
But fans of the franchise are not having any of it. Many netizens were desperate for Villeneuve to keep going on to adapt the remaining novels for the big screen. A lot of viewers took to social media to manifest this desire, and beseeched the director to take on one more significant narrative in the series.
A few others were still hopeful that Villeneuve will come around and change his mind about ending the films with Dune: Messiah. Other opinions pointed to Children of Dune as the fitting end to the series.
Children is probably the lowest point of the original Frank series, it's more or less just set-up for the buck-wild experience that is God-Emperor
stopping with Messiah is fine if you don't plan on doing God-Emperor, but I would make blood sacrifices to see him go that far
— Timothy Kimokahe Smith 🤺🤺 (@KimokaheSmith) February 27, 2024
we need to pressure him until he at least agrees to do Children of Dune pic.twitter.com/eQYToxTn3l
— derek (@derpo377) February 26, 2024
This reads like someone who knows deep down he's going to do it but doesn't want to deal with the psychological pressure right now.
— Damon Ferrara (@wayfaringwit) February 27, 2024
I don't understand how he sees Messiah as a logical or satisfactory stopping point.
— Czar (@CzarNoises) February 27, 2024
Honestly, Children of Dune would be a fantastic name for a spinoff/continuation series that adapts the rest of the books from that point on.
— Alex Marshall (@amarshtheboy) February 27, 2024
Children of Dune would be completing the true “trilogy” as Herbert saw it.
— Michael (@MVG7113) February 26, 2024
With Villeneuve sending a ray of hope to fans by leaving the discussion about the 4th film open-ended, viewers will be hoping that the director’s passion for the Dune films will be his biggest motivation to continue.
Making Dune Was A Teenage Dream For Denis Villeneuve
It isn’t always that life grants people the opportunity to make their childhood dreams come true. Denis Villeneuve is one of the lucky ones who is living his dreams. The Canadian director created waves by adapting Dune, Frank Herbert’s complex novel of politics, ecology, and philosophy in a sci-fi world.
Villeneuve who was a teenager when he first read the books, was so enamored by the world that Herbert had created, that he manifested a time when he could visually capture its glory on screen. Speaking to Wired, the Sicario director said,
“I read it when I was 13 or 14 years old. The first Dune book is a tremendous, powerful adventure of a young boy discovering a new world. It stayed with me through the years, haunted me. So, when people were saying, ‘Well, what would be your biggest dream?’ I would say, Dune.”
Villeneuve expressed his gratitude to the universe and fate for directing him towards his favorite story of all time and giving him the opportunity to visualize it on screen.
Dune is streaming on Netflix.
Dune 2 will release in theaters on March 15th, 2024.
