While promoting Dune (2021) at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, Villeneuve confirmed he planned to adapt Herbert's second novel in the series, Dune Messiah (1969), as a part of his franchise if the Dune films were successful.[9] After Dune: Part Two (2024) was greenlit in October 2021, Villeneuve reiterated his hope of creating a film based on Dune Messiah.[10][11] Screenwriter Jon Spaihts confirmed in March 2022 that Villeneuve still had plans for a third film, alongside planned television spin-off projects within the Dune franchise.[12] Villeneuve intends for Dune Messiah to serve as his final Dune film and installment within his Paul Atreides trilogy.[13] He wanted to take a break prior to producing the film due to being exhausted by directing the films back-to-back, intending to direct another film in between.[14]
Following the release of Dune: Part Two, Legendary CEO Joshua Grode stated that the studio was "engaged" in development.[15] In March 2024, Villeneuve was cautious about making the film, as he wanted to ensure the script was good and said he would make the film only if he felt it was superior to Dune: Part Two.[16] By the next month, the film was confirmed to be in development by Villeneuve and Legendary Entertainment.[17][18] On June 28, 2024, Warner Bros. announced a December 18, 2026 release date for an upcoming film directed by Villeneuve, with The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline Hollywood speculating it was the third Dune film. Deadline Hollywood also stated that work on the script and casting had continued.[19][20] In October 2024, Villeneuve said he was still writing the film and that he expected to begin production sooner than what he previously expected.[21] In August 2025, it was confirmed that Linus Sandgren would serve as the film's cinematographer, replacing Greig Fraser, who previously worked on Dune and Dune: Part Two, due to Fraser's commitments on Sam Mendes's four separate planned the Beatles biopic films he is producing and directing for April 2028.[22]
Writing
While writing Dune: Part Two, Villeneuve noted Herbert's original intention to avoid depicting Paul Atreides as a heroic figure, intending for him to critique the idea of the "Messianic figure" and be an antiheroic figure. This impacted how he wrote Paul in Part Two, and said that its ending would eventually set up the sequel.[23][24] As early as August 2023, Villeneuve began conceiving of potential ideas for the film, saying that there were "words on paper". He also expected it to serve as the final film in a trilogy with Dune and Dune: Part Two.[25] By that December, he said that he had almost finished writing the script.[14] Work continued that next month, reiterating the film would conclude the story arc for Atreides and that it would take place 12 years after Part Two.[26] He was still writing the film that October.[21] In February 2025, Villeneuve stated that Chani's heart was "broken" and that the film would begin with the initiation of the "Holy War". He felt a "responsibility" to finish his work on the film after seeing the positive critical reception that Part Two had received.[27]
In March 2025, Jason Momoa revealed that he would reprise his role as Duncan Idaho from the first film.[2] In April 2025, it was reported that Robert Pattinson was being eyed for a role, with Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh confirmed to return from the previous films.[1] If Pattinson were to sign on, he would play the villain, Scytale;[28]Matthew Belloni of Puck indicated Pattinson would film this installment, then would prepare his schedule in January 2026 for filming The Batman: Part II (2027).[29] In June 2025, Momoa's son Nakoa-Wolf Momoa in his debut acting role, and Ida Brooke were announced as being cast as Leto II and Ghanima Atreides, respectively.[4] In August, Josh Brolin confirmed that he would return as Gurney Halleck.[3] That same month, Variety confirmed Pattinson's involvement with the project.[5]
Filming
Principal photography began on July 8, 2025, at Origo Film Studios in Budapest.[30][31][32] The movie is being shot on film with some sequences shot with IMAX cameras, marking a creative and technical departure from the previous films, which were shot using digital cameras, as well as the first movie from Villeneuve to be shot on film since Incendies (2010).[33][34] It was previously expected to begin in 2026.[35] A day later, it was announced that the film would be titled Dune: Part Three.[34] In August 2025, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission confirmed that filming would take place in the Liwa Desert during the latter stages of the year.[36]
Music
In February 2024, Hans Zimmer was confirmed to be composing the film's score.[37]
Release
Dune: Part Three is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States by Warner Bros. Pictures on December 18, 2026.[38]
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