Denis Villeneuve is currently working onDune: Part Three, and while the film is exciting, it may be taking a different approach than the director’s previousDunefilms. Villeneuve’sDuneseries has been one of the most acclaimed projects of the 2020s, withthe director’s third and finalDunefilmset to close out his trilogy of Frank Herbert adaptations.
Dune: Part OneandDune: Part Twoare both adaptations of Frank Herbert’s originalDunenovel, with Villeneuve believing that he needed two films to flesh out the massive sci-fi epic. While the second film wasn’t greenlit when the first movie was released, this gamble paid off, leading to two beloved movies to start out the modernDunefilm series.
Now, Denis Villeneuve is continuing this story by moving on toHerbert’s secondDunenovel,Dune Messiah. The sequel follows Paul Atreides years after he has become the Emperor, examining the fallout of his Holy War that he waged at the end ofDune: Part Two. There are still a lot of questions surroundingDune: Part Three’sMessiahadaptation, but Villeneuve is definitely taking a unique approach.
Dune 3’s Story Might Combine Dune Messiah & Children Of Dune
As it turns out,Dune: Part Threemay combine the stories ofDune Messiahand the third book,Children of Dune, into one movie.Dune: Part Threehas already cast both of Paul Atreides' kids, who are babies inDune Messiah. However, both of the actors are teens, creating a lot of confusion about the upcoming sequel.
While it is possible that the ages of Paul’s kids could just be an adaptational change,it also raises the possibility that elements ofChildren of Dunewill be featured inDune: Part Three. Paul’s kids are at this age inChildren of Dune, so it would make sense for these actors to come in during the second half of the film, after theDune Messiahstory is over.
Interestingly, there is a precedent for this. TheTV miniseriesFrank Herbert’s Children of DuneadaptedDune MessiahandChildren of Dunetogether, which was an odd choice that paid off.Dune: Part Threecould be taking notes from this miniseries, with Villeneuve ending his trilogy by adapting both books at the same time.
However, this approach would be a complete reversal of Villeneuve’s previousDunefilms. Rather than spreading one book across two movies,Dune: Part Threewould be using one movie to tell the story of two books. However, Villeneuve clearly knows what he’s doing based on the previous movies, meaning that this may be the right call forDune: Part Three.
