Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two dominated the box office, grossing $81.5 million in its opening weekend and becoming the highest-grossing film of 2024 so far. This success fuels speculation about a potential third film, with Villeneuve expressing his desire to adapt Frank Herbert’s “Dune Messiah” to complete his vision for the saga.
While Warner Bros., the film’s distributor, hasn’t officially greenlit a third installment, positive critical reception and strong box office performance suggest a high chance of its creation. Legendary Entertainment, the franchise’s producer, also voiced their hope to continue the series.
“I signed for two movies at the beginning,” Villeneuve stated, “but I felt like I could totally finish Paul Atreides’ arc by doing ‘Dune Messiah,’ and it’s in the works right now.” This aligns with the director’s initial creative decision to split Herbert’s first novel, “Dune,” into two parts.
Lead actor Timothée Chalamet remains cautious, acknowledging the success of “Part Two” as a determining factor. “The rule is, I think, this would have to be successful,” he said.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding an official greenlight, both Zendaya and Mary Parent, producer on “Dune” and “Dune: Part Two,” expressed their enthusiasm for a potential third film. Zendaya, specifically, highlighted her desire for more scenes with Florence Pugh, who joined the cast in “Part Two.”
While details about the script remain under wraps, the success of “Part Two” paves the way for a potential conclusion to Paul Atreides’ story in “Dune Messiah.” Fans eagerly await further developments and the possibility of witnessing Villeneuve’s vision come to life on the big screen.
