Denis Villeneuve: ‘Dune 3’ Will Only Happen if It Surpasses ‘Dune: Part Two’ – Otherwise, It’s Off the Table

Denis Villeneuve is making a solemn vow to fans of “Dune”: he’ll only proceed with creating a third film, based on Frank Herbert’s “Dune Messiah” novel, if he’s absolutely certain it will surpass the excellence of “Dune 2”. This is no small task, given the immense success “Dune 2” has achieved. With critical acclaim and a global box office crossing the $500 million mark, the sequel shows no signs of slowing down.

“I chose to film both movies consecutively, which was the logical decision for me,” Villeneuve explained to Empire magazine regarding the prospect of “Dune 3”. “We were already deep into design and writing immediately after ‘Part One’. However, spending six years continuously immersed in Arrakis has made me realize the importance of taking a step back. It’s crucial to ensure we have a solid screenplay. Rushing into production without a clear vision is a risk I’m not willing to take. We must ensure all our ideas are meticulously laid out on paper.”

“If we proceed, it must be authentic and meaningful. If I tackle ‘Dune Messiah,’ it’s because it will surpass the quality of ‘Part Two’,” he emphasized. “Otherwise, it’s not worth pursuing.”

Villeneuve has consistently expressed his desire to explore a third “Dune” installment. Prior to the release of “Dune 2”, he disclosed that he was nearing completion of a script based on “Dune Messiah”. His confidence in the superiority of “Part Two” over “Part One” suggests a similar progression for any subsequent installment.

“To me, this film surpasses Part One,” Villeneuve remarked about the sequel. “There’s a vitality to it, a deeper connection to the characters. I aimed for an intensity and emotional depth that I felt was lacking in ‘Part One’, and I believe I’ve achieved that with ‘Part Two’. While not without flaws, I’m much more satisfied with ‘Part Two’ than its predecessor.”

Several key members of the “Dune” cast have already expressed eagerness to return for a third film. Villeneuve acknowledged that Florence Pugh and Lea Seydoux had smaller roles in “Part Two”, but their involvement would be significantly expanded in a potential continuation.

“Would we be on board? Absolutely,” Zendaya affirmed to Fandango regarding another “Dune” installment. “Whenever Denis calls, count me in. I’m intrigued to see where the story goes. I started reading ‘Messiah’ and thought, ‘Wow, I’m only shooting the first movie!’ It’s a lot to digest, but there’s no better custodian for this project than Denis, with his passion and dedication.”

“Dune 2” remains a cinematic fixture in theaters worldwide courtesy of Warner Bros.