Denis Villeneuve shared why he started working on Dune 3 earlier than expected. Although Dune: Part Two was a huge success, both critically and commercially, making it and the first movie wasn’t easy and took years to complete. Villeneuve had initially planned to take a break before writing the third installment, which will be based on Frank Herbert’s Dune: Messiah and continue Paul Atreides’ (played by Timothée Chalamet) journey.
In an interview with Collider, Villeneuve said he felt inspired to start writing Dune 3 sooner because of the overwhelming love for Dune: Part Two. He explained that audiences’ positive reactions moved him and made him feel responsible for continuing the story. Villeneuve also said he looks forward to exploring Chani’s (Zendaya) heartbreak and the beginning of the Holy War. Check out his comments below:
Chani’s heart is broken, and it’s the beginning of the Holy War and that’s where we left, so in a way, I’d say it’s quite similar. I was expecting to do something else before, but frankly, that’s the inspiration that came to my mind as I took a break this summer and was going back and finishing the story. I was really moved by the way Part Two was received by cinephiles around the world, and I felt an appetite and a desire to see more and a responsibility to finish that story.

Villeneuve’s early return to the Dune series suggests that work on Dune 3 might start sooner than expected. He is still writing the script but mentioned 2026 as a possible production start, although nothing is confirmed since these films take a lot of time to create. The third movie will happen 12 years after Dune: Part Two, just like in the original book, which means several changes to the story will need to be made.
Some story changes will focus on Princess Irulan, played by Florence Pugh, who will have a much bigger role in Dune 3 than in the second movie. Twelve years later, Paul, Chani, and Irulan will be in different phases of their lives, and the universe will also look different after the Holy War. While it’s important to show the big changes that happened during the 12-year gap, they can’t overshadow the main storyline of the third movie.
No matter how long Dune 3 takes to be made, it will be worth the wait. Dune: Part Two was a huge success and impressed audiences on every level. It’s exciting that Villeneuve has already started working on the next chapter, even though it will be his last in the Dune universe. Matching the success of Dune: Part Two might be tough, but Villeneuve is a talented filmmaker who knows how to craft another amazing movie.
Source: Collider