The highly anticipated sequel to uber auteur extraordinaire Denis Villeneuve‘s 2021 Dune will finally hit theaters in March after navigating the chaotic landscape of Hollywood’s recent strike-related work stoppages. The sequel, which will run 2 hours and 46 minutes–eleven minutes longer than the first–will adapt the second half of Frank Herbert‘s sci-fi epic but that doesn’t mean the story of Paul Atreides will come to an end.
For some time, Villeneuve has expressed his desire to adapt Herbert’s novel, Dune: Messiah, into a third film, allowing the supermega visionary director to complete a trilogy and achieve his “dream.” Though it’s not quite ready to roll out just yet, the maestro recently revealed that his screenplay for the third film is “almost finished. And while WB hasn’t officially given the film the go ahead, one industry insider says it’s a sure thing.
Jeff “The InSneider” Sneider has shared that Warner Bros is “so bullish on Villeneuve’s vision for Dune that Part Three has been already been greenlit with a 2027 release date in mind.” Why the optimism? According to Sneider, “WB sees Part Two as a home run, and internally, I’m hearing the studio is already projecting an opening north of $100 million.”
Dune: Messiah, originally published serially in 1969 in Galaxy magazine, follows Paul, now the Emperor of the known universe and examines the consequences of his astonishing rise to power.
About Dune: Part Two
The saga continues as award-winning filmmaker, Denis Villeneuve embarks on the next chapter of Frank Herbert’s celebrated novel, DUNE with an expanded all-star international ensemble cast.
Dune: Part Two will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of hisife and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can forsee.
The big-screen epic continues the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed bestseller DUNE with returning 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 winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men,” “Being the Ricardos”), Oscar nominee Josh Brolin (“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” “Army of the Dead”), Stellan Skarsgård (the “Mamma Mia!” films, “Avengers: Age of Ultron”), Dave Bautista (the “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, “Thor: Love and Thunder”), Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling (“45 Years,” “Assassin’s Creed”), Stephen McKinley Henderson (“Fences,” “Lady Bird”). Also joining the returning cast are Austin Butler (“Elvis,” “Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood”) as the notorious Feyd Rautha and screen legend, Christopher Walken (“The Deer Hunter,” “Hairspray”) as the Emperor. Florence Pugh (“Black Widow,” “Little Women”) and Léa Seydoux (the “James Bond” franchise and “Crimes of the Future”) and Souheila Yacoub (the “No Man’s Land” series, “Climax”) round out the extensive ensemble cast.
Sources: YouTube, The InSneider
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