The theatrical release of “Dune 2” has been postponed to 2024 and there are still thoughts about Part 3.
Due to ongoing strikes by screenwriters and actors in Hollywood, some productions have come to a sudden halt. Denis Villeneuve’s production of the second part of the sci-fi epic “Dune”, written by Frank Herbert, also had to change some plans because of the strikes. Accordingly, the theatrical release was postponed to March 2024 instead of November 2023 as originally planned. It will therefore be a while before Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides will be seen on the big screen again.
Nevertheless, director Villeneuve insists on expressing his hopes for a third part. He would like to base this on “Lord of the Desert Planet” (original: “Dune Messiah”). “If I manage to do a trilogy, that would be a dream,” says the filmmaker in an interview with “Empire Magazine”. “’The Lord of the Desert Planet’ was written in response to the fact that people saw Paul Atreides as a hero, which Herbert didn’t want. My adaptation of ‘Dune’ is very close to his idea that it is actually a warning.”
But another sequel is dependent on a few things, most notably whether the second installment will do well in the box office. Because the possibility of producing “Dune 2” hung in the air for a while after the release of the first film in 2021.
But both Villeneuve and screenwriter Jon Spaihts calmed tempers. Both previously discussed the potential of a trilogy, saying Dune 2 introduces many themes that a third film could pick up on. Meanwhile, Villeneuve told “Empire Magazine” that there are now even concrete talks about a further sequel.
Fans of the franchise can therefore rest assured: It is not at all unlikely that the sci-fi epic will develop into a trilogy.
Regarding the content of the second part: The plot is picked up where it ended in the first part. Paul Atreides joins forces with Chani and the aliens to embark on a vendetta against the conspirators. In doing so, he must weigh the love of his life against the fate of the known universe while trying to avert a terrible future. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya return in the lead roles for Dune 2. Rebecca Ferguson and Christopher Walken are also back. The cast will also be strengthened by Austin Butler and Florence Pugh will once again share the screen with Chalamet after “Little Women”.