Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is aiming to complete filming for the third installment of his Dune movie series by the end of this summer.
Currently in pre-production, the team has been actively preparing for a summer shoot. According to Deadline, sources stated, “June is too early, but summer is the goal, assuming critical factors are in place (talent availability, etc.).”
Following its release last year, Dune: Part Two, starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, earned over $700 million at the global box office. Both Dune and its sequel received Best Picture nominations at the Oscars. The third film will see Villeneuve conclude the trilogy by adapting Frank Herbert’s novel Dune Messiah, which wraps up Paul Atreides’ saga.
In the novel, Paul “Muad’Dib” Atreides has ruled as Emperor for 12 years. By embracing his role as the Fremen’s messiah, he has triggered a jihad that has swept across much of the known universe. However, he finds himself unable to control the devastating consequences of the religious movement he has set in motion. The official title for the third movie has yet to be announced, according to the outlet.
Villeneuve described the upcoming film as one that will follow Paul Atreides “as he navigates ‘the end of his journey.’” The director has long envisioned turning Dune into a trilogy.
However, before moving on to the third installment, he had high expectations for the second film. Speaking to Deadline, Villeneuve shared, “For me, this film is much better than Part One. There’s something more alive in it. There’s a relationship to the characters. I was trying to reach for an intensity and a quality of emotions that I didn’t reach with Part One and that I did reach with Part Two. I’m not saying the film is perfect, but I’m much more happy with Part Two than I was with Part One. I can not wait to share it with the fans and the moviegoers.”
Dune: Part Two features returning stars Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, alongside Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Stellan Skarsgård, and Javier Bardem, as reported by Deadline.
