Dune: Part Three script is “in the works” according to director Denis Villeneuve

Dune: Part Three script is "in the works" according to director Denis Villeneuve

As a seasoned gamer and ardent fan of the science fiction genre, I can confidently say that my anticipation for the next chapter in the Dune saga is reaching unparalleled heights. Having traversed the vast deserts of Arrakis numerous times across the pages of Frank Herbert’s epic novels, I find myself eagerly awaiting Denis Villeneuve’s masterful adaptation of Dune Messiah.

If you haven’t read Frank Herbert’s Dune novels, it’s possible that you left this year’s blockbuster Dune: Part Two feeling confused about the sequel’s plot. The story revolves around Paul Atreides, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet, who transforms from an unwilling space messiah into a potential emperor of the universe after defeating the villainous Baron Harkonnen, played by Stellan Skarsgård, and his cruel nephew Feyd Rautha, acted by Austin Butler. The film concludes with Paul’s Fremen allies boarding spaceships to spread his influence among his subjects. This ending is far from cheerful, fitting perfectly for a cautionary tale like Dune.

Despite the fact that Part Two picked up right where Herbert’s initial book concluded, there are numerous additional Dune novels available for inspiration. In total, Herbert wrote six, and his son Brian Herbert and co-author Kevin J. Anderson have authored many more. It was made clear before the release of Dune: Part Two that director Denis Villeneuve intended to conclude a trilogy of films by adapting the next in the series, namely 1969’s Dune Messiah. This novel delves into the aftermath of Paul Atriedes’ ascension to emperor, making it an obvious choice for concluding Villeneuve’s series.

To date, information regarding a possible third installment of the Dune movie has been limited. However, during his recent visit to the Toronto International Film Festival, Villeneuve hinted about the progress on the film script, telling Variety, “It’s being developed, yes. That’s why I won’t be here for long.

#Dune director Denis Villeneuve says that the script for the third film is “in the works.” #TIFF
— Variety (@Variety) September 8, 2024

It sounds like work on Dune: Part Three is already well underway

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but delve into the latest tidbit about Denis Villeneuve’s work. In the chilly month of December 2023, Villeneuve himself disclosed that his script for the adaptation of Dune Messiah was nearing completion. Yet, he also expressed a desire to step away from the arid expanse of Arrakis temporarily to work on a more intimate project before diving into it fully. As he put it, “I might make a detour before just to escape the sun. For my mental well-being, I might do something in between, but my dream would be to return one last time to this world that I adore.

Part Three” was likely in the early stages of its screenplay development even before it was announced. It’s possible that Denis Villeneuve’s recent comment about “Part Three” was an off-the-cuff remark, or maybe they are now fine-tuning the dialogue for “Part Three” now that “Part Two” has been released.

It appears that Denis Villeneuve’s anticipation for a pause following the release of “Dune: Part Two” might have been premature, given recent developments. As stated by Josh Grode, CEO of Legendary Pictures in an interview with Entertainment Weekly just a week after “Part Two” hit theaters, they are currently deeply involved in “Dune: Part Three”. Furthermore, less than six months later, Deadline reported that Legendary’s parent company Warner Bros. Discovery had reserved December 2026 for a “Denis Villeneuve Film Event”, which many speculate is likely to be “Dune: Part Three”. It seems we’ll be returning to Arrakis not too far in the future.

Dune: Part Three script is "in the works" according to director Denis Villeneuve

Villeneuve touched on the heartwarming reaction from the audience regarding “Dune: Part Two”. He mentioned, “During the making of ‘Part One’ and its release at the end of the pandemic, I didn’t get a chance to interact with the audience. However, during our tour for ‘Part Two’, we could sense the excitement and anticipation, which was incredibly touching to see. It was heartening to witness how eagerly people were waiting for the movie and were ready to embrace it with love.

I’m excited to re-experience the magic of “Dune: Part Two” once more, and you can catch it on Max. Additionally, starting this November, a new prequel series called “Dune: Prophecy” will be available on the streaming platform. This series delves into the origins of the Bene Gesserit, centuries prior to Paul Atreides’ birth.

2024-09-10 16:41

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