Dune: Part Three

This article is about the third film in the Denis Villeneuve film series. For the third novel in the Frank Herbert book series, see Children of Dune.

Dune: Part Three is an upcoming American epic space opera film directed by Denis Villeneuve, who co-wrote the screenplay with Jon Spaihts. The sequel to Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024), the film is based on the 1969 novel Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert, and is the third and final installment in Villeneuve's Dune film trilogy. The film stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Jason Momoa, and Josh Brolin—all in returning roles.

Dune: Part Three
Directed by	Denis Villeneuve
Screenplay by	Denis Villeneuve Jon Spaihts
Based on	Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert
Starring	Timothée Chalamet Zendaya Florence Pugh Jason Momoa Josh Brolin Robert Pattinson
Cinematography	Linus Sandgren
Music by	Hans Zimmer
Production company	Legendary Pictures
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date	December 18, 2026 (2026-12-18)
Country	United States
Language	English

The film began production in July 2025, and is scheduled to be released on December 18, 2026.

Cast

• Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides^[1]
• Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan^[1]
• Zendaya as Chani^[1]
• Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, the swordmaster of House Atreides and one of Paul's mentors^[2]
• Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, weapons master of House Atreides and one of Paul's mentors^[3]
• Nakoa-Wolf Momoa as Leto II Atreides, the son of Paul and Chani, and twin brother of Ghanima^[4]
• Ida Brooke as Ghanima Atreides, the twin sister of Leto II^[4]
• Robert Pattinson^[5]

Production

Development

In 2011, Mary Parent, vice chair of Legendary Entertainment, and her producing partner Cale Boyter acquired adaptation rights for Frank Herbert's original Dune novel (1965). In November 2016, Legendary acquired the film and TV rights for the Dune franchise.^[6][7] Legendary hired Denis Villeneuve to direct a film adaptation of Dune, and later secured a production deal with parent company Warner Bros. Pictures to make a two-part adaptation of the film.^[8]

While promoting Dune (2021) at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, Villeneuve confirmed he planned to adapt Herbert's second novel in the series, Dune Messiah (1969), as a part of his franchise if the Dune films were successful.^[9] After Dune: Part Two (2024) was greenlit in October 2021, Villeneuve reiterated his hope of creating a film based on Dune Messiah.^[10][11] Screenwriter Jon Spaihts confirmed in March 2022 that Villeneuve still had plans for a third film, alongside planned television spin-off projects within the Dune franchise.^[12] Villeneuve intends for Dune Messiah to serve as his final Dune film and instalment within his Paul Atreides trilogy.^[13] He wanted to take a break prior to producing the film due to being exhausted by directing the films back-to-back, intending to direct another film in between.^[14]

Following the release of Dune: Part Two, Legendary CEO Joshua Grode stated that the studio was "engaged" in development.^[15] In March 2024, Villeneuve was cautious about making the film, as he wanted to ensure the script was good and said he would make the film only if he felt it was superior to Dune: Part Two.^[16] By the next month, the film was confirmed to be in development by Villeneuve and Legendary Entertainment.^[17][18] On June 28, 2024, Warner Bros. announced a December 18, 2026 release date for an upcoming film directed by Villeneuve, with The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline Hollywood speculating it was the third Dune film. Deadline Hollywood also stated that work on the script and casting had continued.^[19][20] In October 2024, Villeneuve said he was still writing the film and that he expected to begin production sooner than what he previously expected.^[21] In December, it was reported that Linus Sandgren was in talks to serve as the cinematographer for the film, replacing Greig Fraser, who previously served as cinematographer on Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024), due to Fraser's commitments on The Batman: Part II (2027).^[22]

Writing

While writing Dune: Part Two, Villeneuve noted Herbert's original intention to avoid depicting Paul Atreides as a heroic figure, intending for him to critique the idea of the "Messianic figure" and be an antiheroic figure. This impacted how he wrote Paul in Part Two, and said that its ending would eventually set up the sequel.^[23][24] As early as August 2023, Villeneuve began conceiving of potential ideas for the film, saying that there were "words on paper". He also expected it to serve as the final film in a trilogy with Dune and Dune: Part Two.^[25] By that December, he said that he had almost finished writing the script.^[14] Work continued that next month, reiterating the film would conclude the story arc for Atreides and that it would take place 12 years after Part Two.^[26] He was still writing the film that October.^[21] In February 2025, Villeneuve stated that Chani's heart was "broken" and that the film would begin with the initiation of the "Holy War". He felt a "responsibility" to finish his work on the film after seeing the positive critical reception that Part Two had received.^[27]

Casting

Jason Momoa, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya and Florence Pugh will reprise their roles as Duncan Idaho, Paul Atreides, Chani, and Princess Irulan Corrino, respectively.

In March 2025, Jason Momoa revealed that he would reprise his role as Duncan Idaho from the first film.^[2] In April 2025, it was reported that Robert Pattinson was being eyed for a role, with Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh confirmed to return from the previous films.^[1] If Pattinson were to sign on, he would play the villain, Scytale;^[28] Matthew Belloni of Puck indicated Pattinson would film this installment, then would prepare his schedule in January 2026 for filming The Batman: Part II.^[29] In June 2025, Nakoa-Wolf Momoa (Jason Momoa's son) and Ida Brooke were announced as being cast as Leto II and Ghanima Atreides, respectively.^[4] In August, Josh Brolin confirmed that he would return as Gurney Halleck.^[3] That same month, Variety confirmed Pattinson's involvement with the project.^[5]

Filming

Principal photography began on July 8, 2025, at Origo Film Studios in Budapest.^[30][31][32] The movie is being shot with IMAX cameras, marking a creative and technical departure from the previous movies, which were shot using digital cameras, as well as the first movie from Villeneuve to be shot on film since Incendies.^[33][34] It was previously expected to begin in 2026.^[35] A day later, it was announced that the film would be titled Dune: Part Three.^[34]

Music

By February 2024, Hans Zimmer had been confirmed to compose the film's score.^[36]

Release

Dune: Part Three is scheduled to be released in the United States by Warner Bros. Pictures on December 18, 2026.^[37]