Summary
- Denis Villeneuve will only make
Dune: Part Three
if it surpasses
Part Two
in quality, insisting on a strong screenplay before moving forward. - The potential third installment could explore deeper themes and storylines, including Paul Atreides’ reign and Chani’s expanded role.
- Villeneuve’s dedication to solving potential problems, such as the time gap between films, before committing to
Dune: Part Three
shows his commitment to quality.
Denis Villeneuve reveals what it would take for him to move forward with Dune: Part Three. Even before the highly anticipated Dune: Part Two arrived in theaters, there was talk of a third installment. Both the original movie and sequel, directed by Villeneuve, were major critical and commercial successes. The recent sequel adapted the final half of Frank Herbert’s original Dune novel. However, the ending also led directly into the second book of Herbert’s series, Dune Messiah. Despite the promising prospects of the third movie being greenlit, Villeneuve has not fully committed to it.
In an interview with Empire, Villeneuve addressed the chances of Dune: Part Three, revealing he would only move forward with it on one condition. He explained that taking a step back from the franchise might be beneficial, given that he has spent the past six years absorbed in it. Most importantly, Villeneuve wants Dune: Part Three to be better than Part Two, or he simply won’t do it. Check out his statement below:
I felt that it was a good idea to move forward right after Part One. We were already designing, writing et cetera. But it also meant that for six years I was on Arrakis non-stop, and I think it will be healthy to step back a little bit. First, make sure that we have a strong screenplay. The thing I want to avoid is not having something ready. I never did it, and now I feel it could be dangerous because of the enthusiasm. We need to make sure all the ideas are on paper. If we go back, it needs to be real, it needs to be relevant, if ever I do Dune Messiah, [it’s] because it’s going to be better than Part Two. Otherwise, I don’t do it.
Can Denis Villeneuve Top Dune: Part Two?
Dune Messiah sets the stage for an epic third movie
Villeneuve has previously confirmed that his plans were to make Dune into a trilogy. Hence, it’s a bit surprising to learn that there’s a possibility of him refusing to make Part Three. Fortunately, the chances of the third movie failing to surpass the second don’t seem very strong. Both of Villeneuve’s Dune movies stirred a feeling that there is still much more to come. Part Two capitalized on the first movie’s cliffhanger ending, delivering a satisfying continuation brimming with epic action and more complex characterization that made the wait between films worthwhile.
Dune Ending Explained
Dune’s conclusion lands on an open-ended note, with Zendaya’s character Chani even saying, “This is just the beginning.” Here’s what it all means.
Given how effectively Villeneuve has set up the series, Dune: Part Three would likely naturally be bigger than the prior movies as the stakes rise and the story expands. The story of Dune Messiah is arguably more meaningful and impactful than the story in Dune because it actually explores Paul Atreides’ convoluted reign over the empire, complete with holy wars, conspiracies, and a deep dive into the dangers that messianic figures pose. Additionally, Villeneuve has departed from the book a bit, signaling Chani (Zendaya) may have a more powerful story in the third movie than in the source material.
The story in Dune: Part Three should be quite intense and is expected to improve upon the first two films. The major problem, though, is that the next movie should technically take place roughly 12 years after the sequel. If Villeneuve wants to keep his original Dune cast, a gap will be necessary between films, raising questions of whether the actors will be able to either embody roles older than themselves or fall back into roles they haven’t played in years. Fortunately, Villeneuve seems dedicated to solving potential problems before officially committing to Dune: Part Three.
Dune: Part Two
is currently in theaters, while
Dune
(2021) can be streamed on Max.
Source: Empire
