Well, that didn’t take long, did it? EW reports that, thanks to the success of “Dune: Part Two,” Legendary and Dnis Villeneuve have “Dune 3” in development. That comes as no surprise to moviegoers. Villeneuve’s latest is the first critical darling of 2024, and currently holds the spot atop the year’s highest-grossing films. Of course, when “Dune 3” arrives is another question, and Villeneuve has several other projects in the works (including Legendary’s option of “Nuclear War: A Scenario,” which they’d like the director to tackle), that could be his next project.
Villeneuve hasn’t been shy about his desire to make three “Dune” films. In 2021, he told EW, “”I always envisioned three movies. It’s not that I want to do a franchise, but this is “Dune,” and “Dune” is a huge story. In order to honor it, I think you would need at least three movies. That would be the dream. To follow Paul Atreides and his full arc would be nice.” And those who’ve read Frank Herbert‘s original novels know that Paul’s story is far from over at the end of “Dune: Part Two.”
But where Villeneuve takes his adaptation of Herbert’s work from here could be tricky. Given the story changes Villeneuve made in “Part Two,” a straight adaptation of “Dune Messiah” may not work unless he brings in aspects from “Children Of Dune,” the third book in the series. That would make sense since Paul’s story arguably doesn’t end until “Children Of Dune” anyway. But both books bring in enough new characters, factions, and intrigue for Villeneuve to have plenty to work with for “Dune 3.”
So what should “Dune” fans who’ve only seen Villeneuve’s films expect from a “Dune 3” based on “Dune Messiah”? Herbert’s 1969 sequel sees Paul in absolute power of the galaxy after the Fremen jihad has helped him conquer other worlds. But there’s a conspiracy afoot that threatens his reign, which involves his wife, Florence Pugh‘s Princess Irulan, the Bene Gesserit, and the Tleilaxu, a race of advanced biologists with cloning technology and shape-shifting spies called Face Dancers. And Paul’s sister Alia (Anya Taylor-Joy in “Part Two) has prophetic powers that dwarf her brother’s, leading many to consider her a threat and an abomination. And some old faces return, too, in forms that may surprise those who are only familiar with the recent films.
There’s more than enough in “Dune Messiah” for Villeneuve to make a superb “Dune 3,” but his changes to Zendaya‘s Chani could complicate his story moving forward. Villeneuve’s emphasis on Paul and Jessica’s Harkonnen heritage in “Part Two” may also cause him use a storyline involving Aria from “Children Of Dune.” And the surprising absence of the Spacing Guild Navigators in Villeneuve’s latest movie may also need to be dealt with in “Dune 3.” That group plays a vital role in the “Dune” world, and it’ll be surprising if they’re not addressed.
Still, the news of “Dune 3” is a victory not just for Villeneuve but “Dune” fans in general. The sequel promises juicier roles for its female characters, especially Pugh’s Irulan and Taylor-Joy’s Aria, and Herbert’s series only gets stranger as it goes on. And the world needs weirder, brainer, more challenging blockbusters, which “Dune: Part Two” wasn’t, but “Dune 3” certainly has the chance to be. Now that it’s clear Villeneuve will get to complete his desired trilogy, let’s hope he pulls out all the stops in his grand finale.
