Production is officially underway on DUNE: PART THREE, with director Denis Villeneuve back in action for what’s being called the final film in his Dune saga. Though many expected it to be titled Dune: Messiah, Villeneuve and the studio are sticking with a straightforward name for now. The director shared a stunning first production still, featuring the familiar vast sands of Arrakis—signaling that filming has truly begun.
Villeneuve has been open about how he views the first two movies as a complete adaptation of Frank Herbert’s original Dune novel. But Part Three, he says, will have its “own identity.” It’s not being positioned as the end of a trilogy, but rather as a new chapter inspired by the sequel novel Dune Messiah. That difference in tone and narrative focus is key, as the franchise prepares to take on deeper philosophical themes and more complex political dynamics.
Even with Villeneuve returning, he’s made it clear that this will be his last installment in the franchise. That doesn’t mean the end for Dune on screen—rumors suggest that Warner Bros. may already be eyeing Rogue One director Gareth Edwards to take over the reins for future installments.
New additions to the Dune: Part Three cast include Robert Pattinson, who will portray Skytale, a shape-shifting Face Dancer and one of the main antagonists. The cast also introduces Nakoa-Wolf Momoa and Ida Brooke as Leto II and Ghanima—the children of Paul Atreides (played by Timothée Chalamet) and Chani (played by Zendaya). These characters appear late in Dune Messiah but become central in Children of Dune, suggesting Villeneuve may merge elements from both books in this film.
Another surprise return comes from Jason Momoa, who will reprise his role as Duncan Idaho—not as the man himself, but as a “ghola,” a cloned version of the original character. Anya Taylor-Joy also joins the cast in a much more prominent role as Alia Atreides, Paul’s sister with powerful abilities.
Returning stars include Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Dave Bautista, and Javier Bardem, among others—making Part Three another star-studded epic from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Entertainment.
Villeneuve’s Dune saga has already earned critical acclaim and box office success. The first film won six Academy Awards, and Dune: Part Two built on that momentum, delving deeper into Paul’s journey with the Fremen and his war against the empire. The story seems to be going to go even further in Part Three, which will explore identity, prophecy, and fate.
Movie production for DUNE: PART THREE is now in full swing. Once again, locations have been chosen to reflect the harsh, otherworldly beauty of Arrakis. There isn’t a set date for the release yet, but people are already getting excited.
Stay tuned to Netfilming.com for more news about Dune: Part Three, including behind-the-scenes information and news about where the movie is being shot.
