It should go without saying one of the most anticipated films of 2024 is Dune: Part Two, the sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 hit Dune based on Frank Herbert’s beloved sci-fi saga. As Villeneuve and Warner Bros. get ready to release Dune Part Two in just a few months, Villeneuve has given an update into Dune Messiah, a potential third film in the franchise.
Dune Messiah is the second novel in Herbert’s epic saga, but would be the third film after Villeneuve split the first book into two films due to its length. In a press conference held in South Korea, Villeneuve revealed the adaptation is “being written right now. The screenplay is almost finished but it is not finished. It will take a little time…There’s a dream of making a third movie…it would make absolute sense to me.”
However, don’t expect Dune Messiah to come anytime soon. Villeneuve began working on Dune: Part Two immediately after Dune‘s release and while he is eager to work more of the series’ story, he stated he is in need of a break before diving back into the franchise.
“I don’t know exactly when I will go back to Arrakis,” Villeneuve said. “I might make a detour before just to go away from the sun. For my mental sanity I might do something in between, but my dream would be to go a last time on this planet that I love.”
As for Dune: Part Two, Villeneuve is much more satisfied with how the sequel turned out than with his first film, and that’s saying something given Dune made an impressive $402 million at the box office despite being released on streaming at the same time during WB’s day-and-date release strategy over the pandemic. The film even picked up several award nominations and wins through various ceremonies, most notably the Academy Awards where it won 6 of its 10 nominations.
“For me, this film is much better than Part One,” Villeneuve said. “There’s something more alive in it. There’s a relationship to the characters. I was trying to reach for an intensity and a quality of emotions that I didn’t reach with Part One and that I did reach with Part Two. I’m not saying the film is perfect, but I’m much more happy with Part Two than I was with Part One. I can not wait to share it with the fans and the moviegoers.”
SEE ALSO: Dune: Part Two character posters show off the ensemble cast
What do you think of Villeneuve’s hopes for Dune: Part Two? Do you think it will live up to the first? Are you happy to hear he’ll take a break to recharge between Part Two and Messiah? Let us know on our social channels at @flickeringmyth…
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.
The sequel stars Timothée Chalamet (Wonka), Zendaya (Euphoria), Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning), Josh Brolin (Milk), Austin Butler (Elvis), Florence Pugh (Black Widow), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy), Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Fences), Léa Seydoux (Crimes of the Future), Stellan Skarsgård (Mamma Mia), Charlotte Rampling (45 Years), and Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men).
Dune: Part Two will be released March 1st, 2024.
Ricky Church – Follow me on Twitter for more movie news and nerd talk.
Originally published December 8, 2023. Updated December 9, 2023.
