DUNE: MESSIAH - Denis Villeneuve Says Script For Third Movie Is Officially "In The Works"

DUNE: MESSIAH - Denis Villeneuve Says Script For Third Movie Is Officially "In The Works"

Though we never really had any doubt after Dune: Part Two exceeded box office expectations, director Denis Villelence has now confirmed that his Dune: Messiah adaptation is moving forward...

By MarkCassidy - Sep 09, 2024 03:09 PM EST
Filed Under: Dune
Source: Via SFF Gazette

Although Dune: Part Two didn't reach $1 billion at the global box office as some had predicted (always a long shot in the current climate), it did pass $700 million worldwide, meaning a third film based on Frank Herbert's second novel, Dune: Messiah, always seemed likely.

Part Three still hasn't been officially greenllt by the studio, but director Denis Villeneuve has now shared a very positive update on Warner Bros.' plans for the final chapter.

While speaking to Variety at TIFF, the filmmaker confirmed that the script for Dune: Part Three is officially "in the works."

This is obviously a strong indication that Villeneuve intends to return to complete the trilogy, but he hasn't always sounded too certain about it.

“If we go back, it needs to be real, it needs to be relevant," the filmmaker told Empire in a recent interview. "If ever I do Dune Messiah, [it’s] because it’s going to be better than Part Two. Otherwise, I don’t do it.”

Villeneuve made some changes to Zendaya's character, Chani, which will likely have at least some impact on how Part Three plays out.

In the book, Chani falls in love with Paul Atreides and remains staunchly loyal to him along with Stilgar and the rest of the Fremen. However, in the movie, when "Muad'Dib" decides to embrace his destiny as Mahdi and lead his people into battle against the Harkonnens, Chani recognizes the dangers of blindly following a religious leader and putting all faith in a "prophecy" Paul has previously dismissed as nothing more than Bene Gesserit propaganda.

The final straw for Chani comes when Paul proclaims himself Emperor and offers his hand in marriage to the former ruler's daughter, Princess Irulan. Chani walks away from her lover as the rest of the Fremen begin a holy war in his name by attacking the envoys of the universe’s great houses, and the movie ends with her setting a thumper and calling a worm with a defiant look on her face.

Dune: Part Two is now available on 4K UHD Blu-ray.

"Those hoping for blockbuster escapism might find themselves shook by this faithful, at times borderline depressing adaptation," we said in our review. "But Dune Part Two is Sci-fi spectacle at its finest and most audacious, as Villeneuve builds-upon and possibly surpasses (opinions will vary) his previous film with aplomb."

The saga continues as award-winning filmmaker Denis Villeneuve embarks on Dune: Part Two, the next chapter of Frank Herbert’s celebrated novel Dune, with an expanded all-star international ensemble cast. The film, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, is the highly anticipated follow-up to 2021’s six-time Academy Award-winning Dune. 

The big-screen epic continues the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed bestseller Dune with returning and new stars, including Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (Wonka, Call Me by Your Name), Zendaya (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Malcolm & Marie, Euphoria), Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning), Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (Avengers: Endgame, Milk), Oscar nominee Austin Butler (Elvis, Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood), Oscar nominee Florence Pugh (Black Widow, Little Women), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor: Love and Thunder), Oscar winner Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter,), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Fences), Léa Seydoux (James Bond, Crimes of the Future), with Stellan Skarsgård (Avengers: Age of Ultron), Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (45 Years, Assassin’s Creed), and Oscar winner Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men, Being the Ricardos).

Dune: Part Two will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

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MrDandy
MrDandy - 9/9/2024, 3:05 PM
Helll yeah! Can’t wait. Dune Part 2 is my favorite film so far this year. He did a killer job.
WakandaTech
WakandaTech - 9/9/2024, 3:11 PM
I can't believe I'm more hyped for Dune Messiah in 2026
Star Wars The Mandalorian and Grogu or any other Star Wars movie

Fire Kathleen Kennedy
abd00bie
abd00bie - 9/9/2024, 8:49 PM
@WakandaTech - It's kind of crazy how she is still there, she probably has dirt on a lot of people in Pedowood
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 9/9/2024, 3:13 PM
AS IT WAS WRITTEN
JFerguson
JFerguson - 9/9/2024, 3:15 PM
Will be interesting to see how they adapt the book. I’ve heard it doesn’t put Paul in the best of light.
mountainman
mountainman - 9/9/2024, 3:43 PM
@JFerguson - The entire book series is a caution against following charismatic leaders and a criticism over imperialist war policies. The first book (that was adapted into to the two movies we have so far) has these themes, but they aren’t as obvious. The message of those books is one that a lot of people today need to hear, but yes it’s not a traditional heroes journey and some people who want Paul to be the hero might be disappointed.
The1st
The1st - 9/9/2024, 3:50 PM
@JFerguson - Let's just say Chani warned him...

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JFerguson
JFerguson - 9/9/2024, 4:21 PM
@mountainman - interesting. Villeneuve delivered well on the visuals and I didn’t mind some of those themes edging their way into the story. I do wonder how Chanis expanded role in this adaptation will change things
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 9/9/2024, 3:19 PM
The man is 2 for 2 right now with this franchise. Beyond hyped for the third film.
MasterMix
MasterMix - 9/9/2024, 3:23 PM
Will the Dune franchise be the next Lord of the Rings in terms of Best Picture nominations? Hopefully the they can maintain the quality across each book. Today is also the day I reviewed Dune: Part One. Perfect timing:
https://mastermixmovies.wordpress.com/2024/09/09/fear-is-the-mind-killer/
MrDandy
MrDandy - 9/9/2024, 3:42 PM
@MasterMix - Dune Part 2 will almost definitely get a nomination for Best Picture again. If he can stick the landing with Part 3, it will be the third trilogy (including LotR and Godfather) to be nominated for every movie. It already is the best Fantasy adaptation since LotR imo
McMurdo
McMurdo - 9/9/2024, 4:42 PM
@MasterMix - doubtful. Writing just isn't as good. He won't win best director either.
Lucasberg
Lucasberg - 9/9/2024, 10:46 PM
@McMurdo - so wrong! The writing was stellar and direction near flawless. He’s a strong contender to win best director. If I could I would bet money on this 😎
CyberNigerian
CyberNigerian - 9/9/2024, 3:30 PM
I feel like on some level, he might not actually do it.

The Messiah book isn't really a blockbuster story, it's more of an epilogue to the first book.
MrDandy
MrDandy - 9/9/2024, 3:44 PM
@CyberNigerian - if they show more of the holy war, and include the sequence of the federation stealing the worm, and the city getting nuked, they will have more than enough action.
DarthNihilus
DarthNihilus - 9/9/2024, 4:03 PM
@CyberNigerian - i won't be surprise if he goes more into the holy war.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 9/9/2024, 4:42 PM
@DarthNihilus - he doesn't really shoot action though. He tends to speed past it.
DarthNihilus
DarthNihilus - 9/9/2024, 4:01 PM
This might and probably will be one of the most amazing trilogy ever made.

Too bad we can't have that with Kennedy's Crapfilm...

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bobevanz
bobevanz - 9/9/2024, 4:07 PM
Without Dune, you wouldn't have most of the memorable Sci fi franchises. The influence is so ingrained, it's immense. Glad to see the quality and reception from the fans. Denis is on top of his game right now. Nuclear War A Scenario is one of his next projects. I can't imagine how visceral and the impact it will have. There's an audiobook for people who hate to read
S8R8M
S8R8M - 9/9/2024, 4:27 PM
I will beready when you are ready for Part 3
Mumbo
Mumbo - 9/9/2024, 4:29 PM
Dune is to scifi what Lord of the Rings is to fantasy.

Really curious if they take a swing at the later books. I think Children of Dune is pretty adaptable. God Emperor, uhhhh...
Super12
Super12 - 9/9/2024, 5:20 PM
This was the best pieces of cinema I have seen in years. Seeing it in IMAX definitely helped, cause it was mindblowingly good. Every aspect from the writing, pacing, visuals, acting, sound, score, aesthetic, everything was top notch. Please please please let part 3 be a continuation of that.

Dune could find itself amongst the top trilogies of all time
folieaturd
folieaturd - 9/9/2024, 6:39 PM
I have no doubt this script will be finished before than The Batman Part 2 script
Lucasberg
Lucasberg - 9/9/2024, 10:47 PM
@TheTurd - haha!
Forthas
Forthas - 9/9/2024, 9:02 PM
It will be tough to top Dune 2 but a part of me thinks Villenueve will do it! Either way looking forward to what will likely be another epic outing for Denis.
HAUSMAN01
HAUSMAN01 - 9/9/2024, 10:24 PM
I'd like to see Denis given the keys to a DC characters such as Green https://comicvine.gamespot.com/green-arrow/4005-5936/ Arrow,Terry User Comment Image McGinnis,The https://comicvine.gamespot.com/the-question/4050-3805/ Question,or FLASH User Comment Image or Marvel like:Ghost Rider User Comment Image ,Miracleman User Comment Image , User Comment Image Machine Man,or User Comment Image Ka-Zar
Lucasberg
Lucasberg - 9/9/2024, 10:49 PM
Glad to see the proper enthusiasm for this. Beyond the occasionally uninspired fellow here and there, the response to this franchise has been overwhelmingly positive with many (rightly) declaring it the best fantasy since LOTR.
Minghagz
Minghagz - 9/10/2024, 2:18 AM
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DocSpock
DocSpock - 9/10/2024, 7:49 AM

I officially ate breakfast today.

I can't tell whether that or this announcement is more of a surprise.

WEAPONXOXOXO
WEAPONXOXOXO - 9/10/2024, 8:14 AM
@DocSpock - Please keep us posted. lol.
WarMonkey
WarMonkey - 9/10/2024, 9:43 AM
His Dune movies look great and I love the 1st one. Just too bad he has already drastically altered the story from what it should be just because of Zendaya playing a completely different character to what Chani should be in part 2. Two other versions of Dune have been made and his story is by far the worst version. But it does look great which is a shame cause he really watered down one of the most epic sci-fi stories ever told and turned it into a mediocre CW Young Adult type show.

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