Well, for starters, we can begin with what we know about Dune: Part 2. Visionary director, Denis Villeneuve, was snubbed for a Best Directing Oscar, which prompted actor and frequent collaborator, Josh Brolin, to say that he is quitting acting in protest over this egregious insult from the Academy. Thankfully, none of this has thwarted Villeneuve’s excitement, as it’s just been announced by The Hollywood Reporter that Dune: Messiah (a.k.a. Dune part 3) will supposedly begin filming in June 2025. This goes against initial reports and online internet rumours stating that Dune wouldn’t begin filming until 2026, which means that its initial December 18, 2026 release date now seems very plausible.
If Villenueve stays true to the source material, the third Dune installment will see the villainous, Darth Vader-like arch of Paul, played by Timothée Chalamet, who, in his later years, becomes a rather draconian dictator. This film is also said to have a much darker, much less commercial tone which, for anyone who’s seen Villeneuve’s earlier films, is great news because the Canadian director can be a real prince of darkness when he wants to be. And as for Chalamet, who’s currently on one of the most impressive runs in Hollywood history – A Complete Unknown, Dune: Part 2, Wonka – one can only imagine what he’s got up his sleeve for his first ever trilogy. Although no official locations have been mentioned as of yet, don’t be surprised if Villeneuve returns to Abu Dhabi, a.k.a. Arrakis.
A June 2025 schedule does, however, clash with the shooting schedule of Spider-Man 4 (starring Tom Holland and Zendaya), which also begins filming this summer, which makes you wonder if Zendaya will have a reduced role in either franchise.
The cinematographer behind the first two Dune films, Greg Fraser, will also be replaced by La La Land‘s Linus Sandgren. Hans Zimmer will be returning for the score.
And if, like Josh Brolin (and me), you’re annoyed that Villeneuve got snubbed at the Oscars, just remember that Kevin Costner won a Best-Directing Oscar with Dances with Wolves over Martin Scorsese’s Good Fellas, and Everything Everywhere All at Once won over The Fablemans. #sigh
