Everything we know about Dune 3

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When it comes to modern movie franchises, there are plenty we could point to, like Marvel and Star Wars. Today, everyone is talking about Dune, the latest and greatest in the world of book-to-movie adaptations. It also happens to be one of the best sci-fi movie franchises of the last decade.

But how close are we to the release of Dune: Part Three, the next installment in the franchise? And what are we expecting in the story? So far, here is what we know about Dune 3.

The story so far

Distant planets, betrayals, and more

Dune and Dune: Part Two is based on the book series of the same name by Frank Herbert. Dune: Part Three is set to be a continuation of the previous movies.

For those who need a recap, the first Dune saw the rise of Paul Atreides, heir to House Atreides, as he and those closest to him became entangled in a deadly political war against the planet Arrakis, which has spice, the most powerful resource in all the universe.

While this occurs, Paul is also prophesied to be a Kwisatz Haderach, a being capable of seeing possible futures, even as he has visions of his own. But, of course, Paul and his people are betrayed, and they are forced to go on the run and, in turn, take up station with the Fremen, the native people of Arrakis.

Continuing in Dune 2, Paul integrates into Fremen culture, finding companionship and love with a warrior named Chani, and begins leading raids against Harkonnen spice operations. The Fremen begin to think he is their prophesied savior as the conflict between Paul (plus the Fremen) and House Harkonnen, and the Emperor escalates.

Paul, who undergoes a “Water of Life” ritual, gains future-seeing abilities and embraces his role as the leader of the Fremen. Paul kills Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, but sets up a political marriage to Princess Irulan in order to spare her father, the Emperor. Everything that occurs creates conflict between him and Chani as he begins a holy war.

Talk about a lot to handle. There’s so much that might happen in Dune: Part Three that we’re champing at the bit.

Dune

Release Date: September 15, 2021
Runtime: 155 minutes
Director: Denis Villeneuve

Is Dune: Part Three based on a book?

There’s more lore to this story

Paul and Chani in Dune: Part 2 sitting on a sand hill.

As mentioned, the first two parts were based on Frank Herbert’s original Dune novel. It’s a two-part adaptation that details the entire story, hence why it feels like there is so much to know about what has happened. But is Part Three based on another Dune book?

The answer to that is a resounding “yes.” Dune 3 is based on the second book in the Dune series, Dune: Messiah.

For those who haven’t read the novel, the basic premise is that it’s set about a decade after the events of Dune, where Paul is now Emperor. However, just because he sits on the throne doesn’t mean that everything is okay. That’s about as much as I can tell you without spoiling anything.

Two combatants dueling in Dune: Awakening.

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Who stars in Dune: Part Three?

A lot of returning faces here

There are several returning faces we can expect to see in Dune: Part Three, as it is a continuation of the story. Timothée Chalamet will be back as Paul Atreides, as well as Zendaya as Chani, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides, Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, Josh Brolin as Gurney Helleck, and Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica.

There are some new faces here as well. One major name to look out for is Robert Pattinson, who will be portraying the villain, Scytale, in Dune: Part Three. Pattinson even spoke to IndieWire about filming his role in the movie in November 2025, saying it was “so hot” that he did not have a “single functioning brain cell.”

“When I was doing Dune, it was so hot in the desert that I couldn’t question anything. And it was so relaxing, like my brain actually wasn’t operating. I did not have a single functioning brain cell. And I was listening to Denis [Villeneuve]: ‘Whatever you want!’”

Also among the new faces are actually the children of Paul Atreides, Leto II, and Ghanima, who are twins. They are huge characters in this film. They will be played by Nakoa-Wolf Momoa and Ida Brooke, according to Deadline. It will be Momoa’s first role ever and Brooke’s first movie role, having only made an appearance in Silo on the subscription service Apple TV+.

Dune: Part Three was shot entirely in IMAX

It’s the first Dune movie to have that honor

Something else to point out is that Dune: Part Three was shot entirely in IMAX, via Variety. While Dune was eventually released on large-format cameras after post-production work, Dune: Part Three will be the first Dune film to be filmed entirely on IMAX cameras, a feat that’s only been done by a couple of other films.

It’s going to be interesting, as Dune: Part Three actually releases on the same day as Avengers: Doomsday, and that means there will also be a major battle for who gets the most IMAX screens.

Dune: Part Three trailer and first photos

The first look at Denis Villeneuve’s epic

After more than a year of waiting, countless filming updates, casting announcements, and more, we finally have our first real look at Dune: Part Three with the release of its first teaser trailer. Already, we are thrown into a world many years in the future, showing the escalated conflict, Paul as a leader, and the conflict between him and Chani as his reign continues.

We also get hints at Paul and Chani’s children, as mentioned in the casting announcement, so just hearing them in the teaser is already a big sign that they will have an important role in the upcoming movie. Another major part of the teaser was the first big look at Pattinson’s version of Scytale, who was featured about halfway through the trailer, followed by several major battle scenes. There’s also an epic face-off that Chani seems to have at the very end. Against who? We don’t know yet.

Already, this is looking to be an epic conclusion to this trilogy.

When is the Dune: Part Three release date?

Hint: it’s sooner than you think

Thankfully, we won’t need to wait long for Dune 3 as it’s confirmed by Warner Bros. to release on December 18, 2026. It’s currently March at the time of writing this, so we only have to wait until the end of the year for this epic to return to our screens.

Dune: Part Three

Release Date: December 18, 2026
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Writers: Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve, Frank Herbert

In the meantime, you should rewatch both films with an HBO Max subscription because there’s so much to remember before we step back into this fascinating and terrifying space opera universe.