Dune 3, featuring Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, and Josh Brolin, is now set to begin filming in June 2025, much earlier than the initially expected 2026 start. According to Deadline, the film’s production schedule has been moved up to speed up the global release.
Denis Villeneuve, the director behind the Dune franchise, previously shared that he was deep into the writing process for the third installment. Interestingly, Villeneuve has referred to the upcoming film as Dune: Messiah rather than Dune: Part Three. This distinction highlights the shift in tone and narrative focus, marking a departure from the structure of the previous films.
In a recent interview, Villeneuve explained that while he could have concluded the story with Dune: Part Two, he felt that adapting Dune: Messiah would be a perfect way to take the story in a fresh direction. He noted that the third film will take place about 12 years after the events of the second, offering a “completely different” journey for the characters. Villeneuve emphasized that, while set in the same world, this film will explore new themes and circumstances that set it apart.
The Dune franchise has already seen major success with Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two, both of which were widely praised for their stunning performances and faithfulness to Frank Herbert’s universe.
Alongside Chalamet, Zendaya, and Brolin, the third movie will feature a star-studded cast, including Anya Taylor-Joy, Rebecca Ferguson, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem, and Charlotte Rampling, among others.
With filming now set to start a year earlier than expected, fans can look forward to the movie’s theatrical release in 2026. The anticipation continues to grow as Dune 3 promises to deliver a new chapter in the epic saga.