Dune: Part Two hasn't even hit the screens yet, but director Denis Villeneuve is already a step ahead and more than ready for Dune 3, AKA "Dune Messiah".
Dune: Part 2 is nearly here and will complete the epic journey from Frank Herbert's iconic first novel of the complete Dune series – mark March 1, 2024 in your calendars if you want to be the first in line for Dune: Part 2.
Director Denis Villeneuve took his time adapting the first book into two movies to be as faithful to the source material as possible. The first part was a huge success, not only because of the stunning visuals, but also for the gripping story and amazing world-building.
Villeneuve still strives for more with Dune 2, and Dune 3 as he's revealed recently: he's already finishing up the script for that!
Dune Messiah: Villeneuve's Script For Dune 3 Is Nearly Ready
During a press conference for Dune: Part 2 in South Korea, Villeneuve didn't only talk about the upcoming movie to wrap up the first book's story – still, hearing him say that he's even happier with Part 2 than he was with the first (also amazingly well-made) movie, fans can only wonder just how epic the sequel will be.
Villeneuve also shared that he's totally down for continuing bringing the Dune universe to the big screens, and he's also nearly done with the script for Dune 3: Messiah. The sequel has not been greenlit yet, but seeing as there's a whole legendary book series to cover, we really don't see why they wouldn't continue adapting the story – seeing how successful Dune: Part 1 was, chances are finances won't be a problem.
Without spoiling anything, the third movie would adapt the second book in the series: Dune Messiah (duh). The second book is a little shorter than the first one and focuses more on the characters as the world of Arrakis is already set up.
This could mean that Dune Messiah could fit into a single movie – good thing for impatient people like me that can't wait for the conclusion of Paul's first adventure on the big screen.
Even if Dune Messiah is greenlit (and I'm absolutely positive that it will), production could still take some time according to Villeneuve:
"I don't know exactly when I will go back to Arrakis. 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 I love."
Is Dune Going To Be A Trilogy?
Wait a minute – go to the planet a last time? When there are six whole books to adapt and we've barely scratched the surface of Dune? Well, it could make sense, considering how Dune Messiah ends – if you know, you know.
And if you don't know, you might want to read up on Dune. Get the first book right here or jump straight to Dune Messiah to see for yourself what I'm talking about, because I sure as heck won't spoil anything right here.
However, it could make sense that Villeneuve calls it quits after Dune Messiah, simply for narrative reasons and for having an "easy out" there. There obviously still is more than enough story to tell (four books worth of story, to be exact), but there could be a pretty convenient way to end the adaptation there.
Or just adapt every single book, Mr. Villeneuve, I certainly wouldn't complain. But for now, let's check out Dune: Part 2 first on March 1, 2024.