In 2021, Denis Villeneuve introduced a new generation of moviegoers to Frank Herbert’s futuristic world without thinking machines through his movie Dune. The second major Hollywood adaptation of the novel of the same name proved to be a huge success, garnering $402 million at the box office.
Villeneuve divided the 1965 novel into two parts for theaters, with the much-awaited Dune: Part Two scheduled to hit the theaters in March of 2024 after some delay due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Further, it seems Villeneuve isn’t waiting to see how Dune 2 will be received by the audience, as plans to expand the universe are already underway.
What Denis Villeneuve Said About Dune 3’s Development
Starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya as Paul Atreides and Chani, Dune (2021) follows mythic and emotionally charged Paul’s journey to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people.
Meanwhile, Chani, the eventual concubine of Paul, narrates the film’s opening before spending the best part of it on the sidelines. The character is expected to feature heavily in Dune: Part Two. Denis Villeneuve teased fans that there’s a lot to come moving forward after closing the movie with a declaration from Zendaya’s character that “this is just the beginning.”
The second chapter is expected to explore more different worlds and new characters, including Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan. As fans are only getting acquainted with potential allies and obstacles Paul will meet in his pursuit of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family, Villeneuve has confirmed development is underway for Dune 3. Speaking to the South Korean press, he said:
“[Dune Messiah is] being written right now. The screenplay is almost finished but it is not finished. It will take a little time… There’s a dream of making a third movie…”
The third installment, titled Dune Messiah, will present the supposed hero, Paul, in a different light should it stay faithful to Herbert’s Dune franchise, which is considered one of the best-selling sci-fi novel series in history. Villeneuve has the opportunity to attract the same compliments with his own ambitious trilogy.
How Denis Villeneuve’s Dune 3 Will Be Different From the First Two Installments?
Warnings: The following part may contain spoilers for the Dune trilogy
While Dune 1 is largely about Paul grappling with his reality and understanding the person he’s meant to be. Once his family becomes embroiled in a war for control over the galaxy’s most valuable asset, the prophesied messiah becomes troubled by visions of a dark future.
Meanwhile, Dune 2 traces Paul’s rise to power with the help of Chani and the Fremen. “Part One is more of a contemplative movie. Part Two is an action-packed, epic, war movie,” Villeneuve told The Hollywood Reporter.
However, Dune: Messiah flips the script, and analyzes the theme of heroism vs psychopathy after Paul, the Emperor of the Known Universe, ends up with more power than a single man was ever meant to possess. In 1979, the author of the Dune trilogy said the series asks its readers to beware of heroes.
