Denis Villeneuve Says He Wants To Direct Dune Messiah
Shortly after Dune had an impressive simultaneous release on HBO Max and in theaters, director Denis Villeneuve got his wish: Dune: Part Two has a greenlight to proceed. Regardless, Villeneuve may not be done with the franchise after two movies. Via EW, Villeneuve has expressed a desire to direct the second Dune novel, Dune Messiah.
“I always envisioned three movies,” said Villeneuve. “It’s not that I want to do a franchise, but this is Dune, and Dune is a huge story. In order to honor it, I think you would need at least three movies. That would be the dream. To follow Paul Atreides and his full arc would be nice.”
It should be noted that the interview with Villeneuve took place before Dune: Part Two was officially on the docket. He is also somewhat skeptical about the prospects of adapting all six Dune novels.
“[Frank Herbert] wrote six books, and the more he was writing, the more it was getting psychedelic,” added Villeneuve. “So I don’t know how some of them could be adapted. One thing at a time. If I ever have the chance to do Dune: Part Two and Dune Messiah, I’m blessed.”
RELATED: Warner Bros. and Legendary Announce Dune: Part Two
As Villeneuve noted above, Herbert’s saga began with Dune, which was followed by Dune Messiah, Children of Dune, God Emperor of Dune, Heretics of Dune, and Chapterhouse: Dune. Children of Dune was previously adapted in 2003 as a TV miniseries, but that’s as far as anyone has adapted the story.
Even if Villeneuve doesn’t stick around for a third film, he’s also lined up to direct the pilot episode of Dune: The Sisterhood. That series is the upcoming HBO Max spinoff that will explore the Bene Gesserit in a prequel to the movie. Villeneuve is also executive producing the show.
Dune: Part Two will hit theaters October 20, 2023.
Do you want to see Denis Villeneuve tackle a third Dune movie? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Dune (Penguin Galaxy)
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