The first-look trailer for Denis Villeneuve‘s “Dune: Part Three” dropped today, and many noticed that Jason Momoa appeared in the footage. During a press event for the film, Villeneuve (via Rotten Tomatoes) explained his reasoning for bringing back the actor, despite his character heroically dying in the first movie (thankfully, author Frank Herbert allowed ways to resurrect various characters through sci-fi devices established in his fantastical alien universe).
“Frank Herbert, genius, he created that kind of tremendous charismatic character that our hearts were broken seeing him [Duncan Idaho] falling in the first one. And then we had the desire to bring him back, and he comes back just at the right moment in the story, and it’s like a very, very important comeback. Paul is struggling with his identity, and that strong Atreides figure coming back from the past with a tremendous impact, and that’s all I want to say.”
READ MORE: 13 March Films To Watch: ‘Project Hail Mary,’ ‘Peaky Blinders,’ ‘Hoppers’ &’ The Bride!’
Without really spoiling things too much, Momoa in the film plays Hayt, a clone of the swashbuckling swordsman Duncan Idaho (said to have helped inspire Han Solo alongside fiction heroes like Flash Gordon). That character, having brief screentime, bravely sacrificed himself in the first installment to save Paul and Lady Jessica from the deadly hands of The Sardaukar (the Emperor’s exceptionally effective army that was tasked to exterminate the House Atreides alongside the Harkonnen forces).
Momoa’s return was previously confirmed by the actor himself, alluding that his involvement wasn’t much of a spoiler and only the fans’ getting upset would be their own fault for not reading the books ahead of time and being prepared for his resurrection of sorts, and is now squarely part of the movie’s promotional materials, such as landing his own poster and appearing in the newly released trailer.
Others among the impressive cast assembled by Villeneuve include Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Isaach De Bankolé, Charlotte Rampling, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson, and Javier Bardem.
The pic also features Nakoa-Wolf Momoa (Momoa’s son) and Ida Brooke, said to be playing the children of Paul and Chani (elements from Herbert’s third novel “Children of Dune” that are expected to show up in the sequel).
Warner Bros. is set to release “Dune: Part Three” in traditional theaters and IMAX screens on December 18.
Director Denis Villeneuve discusses the significance of bringing Jason Momoa back for #DunePartThree. pic.twitter.com/HZgOs1xn6L
— Rotten Tomatoes 🍅 (@RottenTomatoes) March 17, 2026
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
