Denis Villeneuve has already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest sci-fi directors of our time, and his work on ‘Dune‘ proves it. The first two installments of the ‘Dune‘ saga, adapted from Frank Herbert’s epic novels, blew audiences away with their stunning visuals and intricate storytelling.
The visually striking sci-fi epic has captivated audiences with its complex storytelling, breathtaking cinematography, and A-list cast led by Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya. With the massive success of ‘Dune‘ Part 1 and Part 2, fans have been eagerly waiting to see if Villeneuve would dive back into the vast desert world of Arrakis for a third installment.
‘Dune Isn’t Any Typical Trilogy
In a recent appearance on Vanity Fair’s Little Gold Men podcast, Denis Villeneuve opened up about the future of the ‘Dune‘ series. He explained that although he is working on a third movie, he doesn’t view it as the final chapter in a trilogy.
Villeneuve revealed that his third ‘Dune‘ movie, which will be based on Herbert’s ‘Dune Messiah‘, is very much in the works. But unlike most big franchises, this next film won’t complete the typical three-part structure that fans might expect.
“For me, it was really a diptych,” he said about the first two movies. “If I do a third one, which is in the writing process, it’s not like a trilogy. It’s strange to say that, but if I go back there, it’s to do something that feels different and has its own identity.”
‘Dune 3′ is happening, but Villeneuve wants to ensure it stands on its own, not as a conclusion to the original storyline. With ‘Dune Messiah‘ set 12 years after the events of the first novel, the film will bring a fresh perspective to the ‘Dune‘ universe.
This also means aging up the star-studded cast that includes Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and more. Villeneuve mentioned he has plans for that. “I know how to do that,” he said, though he kept the details under wraps.
The Future Of The ‘Dune’ Franchise
Here’s where things get even more interesting. While Villeneuve is excited about adapting ‘Dune Messiah‘, he doesn’t plan on sticking around for more sequels. So, is this the end of the Dune cinematic universe? Not quite.
Villeneuve is already thinking about the future of the franchise, and he’s leaving it open for other filmmakers to step in. “Listen, if ‘Dune: Messiah’ happens, it will have been many years for me on Arrakis, and I would love to do something else,” he said.
Villeneuve isn’t exactly slamming the door shut on more ‘Dune‘ films either. “I think that it would be a good idea for me to make sure that, in Messiah, there are the seeds in the project if someone wants to do something else afterwards because they are beautiful books,” he explained.
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However, he warned that adapting future novels could be more challenging. “They become more and more esoteric. It’s a bit more tricky to adapt, but I’m not closing the door. I will not do it myself, but it could happen with someone else.”
The big question is — will the cast be down for another ‘Dune‘ movie without Villeneuve at the helm? Zendaya, for one, is definitely on board with her director. “Any time Denis calls it’s a yes from me,” she told Fandango earlier this year. But it remains to be seen if that loyalty will carry over if another director takes over the franchise.
