Frank Herbert is best known for creating the world of Dune, which became the bestselling science fiction novel of all time. Now a major move franchise, Dune: Part Three is coming to cinemas this December and we can not wait! Here's what we know so far . . .
The Basics:
Title: Dune: Part Three
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Release date: 18th December 2026
Positioned as the conclusion of the Villeneuve Dune trilogy, we’re hoping that doesn’t mean this is the end of Dune films altogether.
Returning Cast:
Timothy Chalamet – Paul Atreides
Zendaya - Chani
Florence Pugh – Princess Irulan
Rebecca Ferguson – Lady Jessica
Javier Bardem - Stilgar
Anya Taylor-Joy – Alia Atriedes (let’s get this character some more screen time!)
Charlotte Rampling – Reverend Mother Mohiam
Jason Momoa – Duncan Idaho/Hayt
Key Cast Additions:
Robert Pattinson – Scytale
Nakoa-Wolf Momoa – Leto II (yep, that Momoa!)
Ida Brooke – Ghanima
Isaach de Bankolé – Farok
The Time Jump
We’re not picking up immediately after Dune: Part Two, in fact we’re jumping ahead nearly two decades! We’re in a very different stage of the story, the characters we’ve known as young adults are now established political characters. Paul might have been seen as a hero but what has he had to sacrifice to hold power? This film has the potential to be much darker than the previous films but we shall see.
IMAX Filming
Dune: Part Three has been partly shot using IMAX film cameras, with over an hour of the films run time using IMAX expanded aspect ratio so if you can get yourself down to a participating IMAX cinema to fully immerse yourself in the epic conclusion to the Dune trilogy.
Watch the Trailer:
How closely does it follow the books?
So, this is the big question. Dune: Part Three is based on Dune Messiah but given the substantial changes from the source material in the first two films, it’s safe to say this won’t a page-for-page adaption. One of the huge changes being Chani’s relationship with Paul established in Part Two, and this film will need to reconstruct some of the story to fit around that change. So be prepared for plenty of ‘but that’s not from the book!’ and that way you can fully immerse yourself in the new world created in this film.
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A game of power, only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
Melange, or 'spice', is the most valuable - and rarest - element in the universe. And it can only be found on a single planet: the inhospitable desert world Arrakis.
Whoever controls Arrakis controls the spice. And whoever controls the spice controls the universe.
When stewardship of Arrakis is transferred to his house, Paul Atreides must travel to the planet's dangerous surface to ensure the future of his family and his people. But as malevolent forces explode into conflict around him, Paul is thrust into a great destiny beyond his understanding.
The extraordinary sequel to Dune, the greatest science fiction novel of all time. What The Lord of the Rings is to fantasy, Dune is to science fiction.
Twelve years after his victory over House Harkonnen, Paul Atreides rules as emperor from the desert planet Arrakis - but his victory has had profound consequences. War has been brought to the entire known universe, and billions have perished. Despite becoming the most powerful emperor known to history, Paul is powerless to bring an end to the fighting.
While former allies conspire to dethrone Paul and even his own consort acts against him, Paul accepts a gift from the Tleilaxu, a guild of genetic manipulators, hoping to find a single spark of peace and friendship amidst the betrayal and chaos. But this act undermines Paul's support from the Fremen, his own people. The Fremen are the true source of Paul's power; losing them is the one thing that could truly topple his empire.
As matters escalate, Paul will be forced to choose between his throne, his wife, his people and his future - and the future of the entire universe.
An epic novel of the cost of victory . . . and the price of war.
