While promotingDune (2021) at the 2021Venice Film Festival, Villeneuve confirmed he planned to adapt Herbert's second novel in the series,Dune Messiah (1969), as a part of his franchise if theDune films were successful.[4] AfterDune: Part Two (2024) was greenlit in October 2021, Villeneuve reiterated his hope of creating a film based onDune Messiah.[5][6] ScreenwriterJon Spaihts confirmed in March 2022 that Villeneuve still had plans for a third film, alongside planned television spin-off projects within theDune franchise.[7] Villeneuve intends forDune Messiah to serve as his finalDune film and instalment within his Paul Atreides trilogy.[8] He wanted to take a break prior to producing the film due to being exhausted by directing the films back-to-back, intending to direct another film in between.[9]
Following the release ofDune: Part Two, Legendary CEO Joshua Grode stated that the studio was "engaged" in development.[10] In March 2024, Villeneuve was cautious about making the film, as he wanted to ensure the script was good and said he would make the film only if he felt it was superior toDune: Part Two.[11] By the next month, the film was confirmed to be in development by Villeneuve and Legendary Entertainment.[12][13] On June 28, 2024, Warner Bros. announced a December 18, 2026 release date for an upcoming film directed by Villeneuve, withThe Hollywood Reporter andDeadline Hollywood speculating it was the thirdDune film.Deadline Hollywood also stated that work on the script and casting had continued.[14][15] In October 2024, Villeneuve said he was still writing the film and that he expected to begin production sooner than what he previously expected.[16] In December, it was reported thatLinus Sandgren was in talks to serve as the cinematographer for the film, replacingGreig Fraser, who previously served as cinematographer onDune (2021) andDune: Part Two (2024), due to Fraser's commitments onThe Batman: Part II (2027).[17]
Writing
While writingDune: Part Two, Villeneuve noted Herbert's original intention to avoid depicting Paul Atreides as a heroic figure, intending for him to critique the idea of the "Messianic figure" and be anantiheroic figure. This impacted how he wrote Paul inPart Two, and said that its ending would eventually set up the sequel.[18][19] As early as August 2023, Villeneuve began conceiving of potential ideas for the film, saying that there were "words on paper". He also expected it to serve as the final film in a trilogy withDune andDune: Part Two.[20] By that December, he said that he had almost finished writing the script.[9] Work continued that next month, reiterating the film would conclude thestory arc for Atreides and that it would take place 12 years afterPart Two.[21] He was still writing the film that October.[16] In February 2025, Villeneuve stated that Chani's heart was "broken" and that the film would begin with the initiation of the "Holy War". He felt a "responsibility" to finish his work on the film after seeing the positive critical reception thatPart Two had received.[22]
In March 2025,Jason Momoa revealed that he would reprise his role asDuncan Idaho from the first film.[23] In April 2025, it was reported thatRobert Pattinson was being eyed for a role, withTimothée Chalamet,Zendaya, andFlorence Pugh confirmed to return from the previous films.[24] If Pattinson were to sign on, he would play the villain,Scytale.[25] In June 2025, Nakoa-Wolf Momoa (Jason Momoa's son) and Ida Brooke were announced as being cast as Leto II and Ghanima Atreides, respectively.[26]Matthew Belloni ofPuck indicated Pattinson would film this installment, then would prepare his schedule in January 2026 for filming his nextBatman film.[27]
Filming
Principal photography began on July 8, 2025, at Origo Film Studios inBudapest.[28][29][30]IMAX cameras will be used in the shooting of the film.[31][32] It was previously expected to begin in 2026.[33] A day later, it was announced that the film would be titledDune: Part Three.[32]
Music
By February 2024,Hans Zimmer had been confirmed to compose the film's score.[34]
Release
Dune: Part Three is scheduled to be released in the United States byWarner Bros. Pictures on December 18, 2026.[35]
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