Dune 3: Everything we know

Dune 2 is now behind us, and with the film setting up a holy war, minds are already turning to the Dune 3 release date. Here’s everything we know about the sci-fi movie.

Anticipation has been sky-high for Dune since Denis Villeneuve announced that he’d be splitting Frank Herbert’s Dune books into multiple movies.

The first film set a lot up, but in ending the story at the halfway point, the movie climaxed with less of a bang and more of a whimper.

But the Dune 2 release date has come and gone, and Part Two improves on its predecessor in many ways, as we wrote in Dexerto’s Dune 2 review. So what’s happening with Dune 3’s story and cast, and when is it coming out?

When is the Dune 3 release date?

Dune 3 would be a huge production and likely won’t be released until at least 2027.

Recently, Villeneuve was cautious when discussing the franchise’s future, telling Inverse, “These movies are very long to make, and I was very, very inspired to do Part One and Part Two. And I still feel the spark is still there to make a third one. I’ll see after, how I feel. I’ll see if the will, the enthusiasm is still there. But I can only make those adaptations by being fully committed and giving everything. It’s like I have to put my heart on the table.”

Thankfully for fans of his work, Dune 3 has indeed been given the green light. As Variety first reported in April, 2024, a third Dune film is confirmed to be in the works, with Villeneuve set to round out his trilogy of films.

During a December, 2023 press conference – as reported by Variety – Denis Villeneuve said the script for Dune 3 was already being written, revealing: “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… it would make absolute sense to me.”

So with a long road ahead bringing the third and final chapter of his epic saga to life, don’t hold your breath in waiting for Dune 3 to hit the big screen anytime soon. It’s a few years out at the very earliest.

Dune 3 cast: Who’ll be in it?

The Dune 3 cast list hasn’t been announced. But it would surely star Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides and bring back the main cast from Part Two.

It sounds like if and when Villeneuve is ready to continue, the cast is on board. Timothée Chalamet told Total Film, “The idea excites me very much. If the time and opportunity come to complete the story with Messiah, I think we’re all super enthusiastic about that.”

While Zendaya told Fandango, “Would we be down? I mean of course. Any time Denis calls it’s a yes from me.” I’m excited to see what happens. I started Messiah and I was like, ‘Woah, I’m only shooting the first movie. Let me just go back to the first one.’ It’s so much to take in, but there are no better hands with better care and love for it than Denis.”

Two faces we can expect to see more of are Florence Pugh and Anya Taylor-Joy, who have much bigger parts in the Messiah book.

The potential Dune 3 cast list:

• Timothée Chalamet as Duke Paul-Muad’Dib Atreides
• Zendaya as Chani
• Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica
• Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck
• Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan Corrino
• Dave Bautista as Count Glossu Rabban
• Christopher Walken as Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV Corrino
• Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot Fenring
• Souheila Yacoub as Shishakli
• Charlotte Rampling as Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam
• Javier Bardem as Stilgar
• Babs Olusanmokun as Jamis
• Roger Yuan as Lieutenant Lanville
• Alison Halstead as Maker Keeper
• Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides

Dune 3 plot: What will it be about?

Dune 3 will likely cover the book Dune Messiah. It was a divisive sequel when it hit shelves, with Paul Atreidis as much of a villain as a hero in the story as he begins a holy war.

In Messiah, Paul Atreides has defeated House Harkonnen and Emperor Shaddam IV, but his victory caused war and the death of billions throughout the universe.

With chaos and betrayal surrounding him, Paul faces opposition from former allies and accepts a gift from the Tleilaxu, a guild of genetic manipulators. He intends to find a glimmer of hope for peace and friendship. However, this decision may result in him losing the Fremen‘s support, his most dedicated supporters, and put his empire at risk.

For more sandworms and blue eyes, find out how to watch Dune 2, when to pee during Dune 2, and see what Dune gaming crossovers you can play.