Denis Villeneuve says that the upcoming Dune: Part Two has “all the elements” to set up a third film.
Speaking with Total Film Magazine, Villeneuve commented on how Dune and Dune: Part Two tell a “complete” story; however, he further revealed that Dune: Part Two has a “heartbreaking” ending that could lead to more entries in the franchise.
“All of the elements are there,” Villeneuve said of how Dune: Part Two could set up more movies. “But I think the movie adaptation is more tragic than the book. The way that Part Two ends…it would create a total balance and equilibrium to finish Paul’s storyline in what we could say in Part Three.”
Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet speak about a potential Dune 3
Regarding what the future might have in store for their characters following Dune: Part Two, Zendaya said, “Denis is an artist, and doesn’t like to share things until he’s got it figured out. So whenever he’s ready, we’re all keenly ready to hear what his vision is.”
Timothée Chalamet added, “The idea excites me very much. If the time and opportunity comes to complete the story with Messiah, I think we’re all super-enthusiastic about that.”
Villeneuve directed both 2021’s Dune and Dune: Part Two, the latter of which opens in March 2024. Chalamet and Zendaya also star in both films alongside Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård, and Javier Bardem. New cast members for Dune: Part Two include Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, and Tim Blake Nelson.
A third Dune movie has not been officially announced at this time; however, Villeneuve, previously said in December 2023 that he was working on the screenplay, though he may make a different movie after Dune: Part Two before returning to Arrakis.
Dune: Part Two releases in United States theaters on March 1, 2024.
