Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are planning to expand the Dune universe beyond Denis Villeneuve’s vision after he completes his adaptation of Dune: Messiah. Villeneuve, who directed Dune and its sequel Dune: Part Two, has confirmed that he will step away after the second book in Frank Herbert’s series. However, he has expressed frustration with the idea of adapting the later Dune novels, which become increasingly complex and obscure.
Despite Villeneuve’s hesitations, Warner Bros. is reportedly eager to continue exploring the Dune universe, with plans for additional films and even a new TV series. Rumors suggest that Children of Dune and God Emperor of Dune could be adapted, though these books are notoriously intricate and difficult to translate to screen. While Villeneuve’s films have been met with critical acclaim and box office success, the studio seems determined to capitalize on the Dune franchise.
Warner Bros. also plans to build on the success of the Dune streaming series Dune: Prophecy, which, although not as successful as the films, garnered decent viewership. Insiders suggest that at least one more movie and a second TV series might be in the works.
As for Dune: Messiah, the film adaptation is reportedly set to begin production in 2025, with a release date in 2026. Fans can expect more from the Dune saga, with the star-studded cast of Villeneuve’s films, including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Javier Bardem, keeping the universe alive on the big screen.
