After the guild strikes forced Warner Bros. to push it from November to next March, “Dune: Part Two” now opens the blockbuster movie season in 2024. For fans of Frank Herbert‘s novel, that March 1, 2024 release date can’t come soon enough. And from the sounds of things, Denis Villeneuve likes his upcoming movie more than his 2021 first-parter, and if things go well at the box-office, “Dune: Part Two” won’t be his last time on Arrakis.
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At a press conference for the film in South Korea this week, Villeneuve talked about his upcoming film and his plans for the “Dune” franchise. And the director sounds pleased with how the follow-up to his 2021 blockbuster turned out. “I won’t say the film is perfect, but I’m much more happy with Part 2 than I was with Part 1,” Villeneuve told the crowd. “Dune: Part Two” finishes Villeneuve’s adaptation of Herbert’s 1965 novel, which sees Timothée Chalamet‘s Paul Atreides seek revenge against House Harkonnen as he start a jihad on Arrakis that will change the politics of the galaxy forever.
But if “Dune: Part Two” does well in theaters next year, that won’t end Paul Atreides’ story onscreen. At least, that’s what Villeneuve hopes. The director previously stated he’d love to adapt Herbert’s “Dune Messiah,” the sequel to “Dune” and the second novel in the “Dune” book series, but at the press conference he confirmed he’s nearly finished writing an adapted script for a potential third “Dune” film. “I don’t know exactly when I will go back to Arrakis, but my dream would be one last go on this planet that I love,” Villenueve hinted.
That’s bombshell news for “Dune” fans on several levels. If Villeneuve makes “Dune Messiah,” it’ll be the first time an adaptation of Herbert’s work goes beyond the first “Dune” novel. And “Dune Messiah” is complicated follow-up to Paul’s heroic arc in the first book. For those unfamiliar with Herbert’s novels, the second book is a downer, but also a satisfying conclusion to Paul’s story and the ramifications of his actions. In short, it’d be a dream come true for “Dune” fans as much of Villeneuve if a “Dune Messiah” film gets greenlit.
But “Dune Messiah” isn’t a happy end to Paul’s saga, and the further books in Herbert’s series get even weirder, so don’t expect Villeneuve to adapt the book series beyond that. Still, a trilogy of “Dune” films could be sensational. And if “Dune: Prophecy,” Max‘s prequel series, does well on release, maybe Warner Bros. could be lured into riskier ventures like “Children Of Dune” or “God Emperor Of Dune” adaptations. One can only hope.
Let’s see how “Dune: Part Two” does in theaters next year, though. Expect Villeneuve’s follow-up to blow the box-office numbers of the first film out of the water, now that the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Check out the entire press conference with Villeneuve below.
