Still recovering from the news that he’ll be directing Bond 26 for Amazon MGM Studios? Well, strap in, because Denis Villeneuve returns to Arrakis with an epic third instalment to his record-breaking Dune franchise (!!) with a slightly less thrilling title of Dune: Part Three. 

Initial reports called the film “Dune Messiah” referencing Frank Herbert’s 1969 book, from which the film will adapt its storyline, following Paul ‘Muad’Dib’ Atreides as he takes over as Emperor of the Known Universe.

Returning to the intergalactic battlefield are cast members Timothée Chalamet, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Paul’s sister, Alia Atreides. Joining the franchise is Robert Pattinson (Mickey 17), said to be playing Scytale, a Tleilaxu Face Dancer (aka. shapeshifting villain.) Additionally, newcomer Nakoa-Wolf Momoa and Ida Brooke (Silo) will play the twin children of Paul and Chani, and Jason Momoa has confirmed his return as Duncan Idaho, despite his absence in the second film.

After speculation surrounding the extent of which the film will be shot in IMAX, Variety confirmed today that despite suggestions from IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond:

“From a personal point of view, I was really happy. I like him. I think he’s a genius filmmaker… He’s so creative. He’s making the next ‘Dune’ — with IMAX cameras, he’s filming the whole thing. So we haven’t started talking yet, but I’m praying that that’s the case with Bond.”

Dune: Part Three will not be shot entirely with IMAX cameras. (But, neither were the other Dune instalments, and they were still marvellous!)

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The demand and reward of IMAX films is staggering, which was showcased by Gelfond’s citing that F1 earned 23% of its opening weekend grosses in IMAX auditoriums, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning did 20% in IMAX in its first two weeks.

“Think of 20% of the box office, when we’re less than 1% of the screens. The public is really demanding it.”

Ultimately, there is a resurgence in audience demand for the blockbuster, and witnessing films on the biggest screen possible — and that is something to celebrate!

Dune: Part Three is set to begin filming imminently and is expected to arrive in theatres in December 2026.

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