While Dune: Part Two has yet to begin its production, screenwriter Jon Spaihts believes that a third film is very possible.
Based on Frank Herbert's acclaimed 1965 novel, Dune takes place in the far future and follows the Atreides family accepting the stewardship of the dangerous desert planet Arrakis (also referred to as Dune), which contains the most valuable substance in the universe known as the "spice." While director Denis Villeneuve's 2021 and upcoming 2023 adaptations cover the first book, Herbert wrote two more sequels that focus on the lives of the characters we meet in the first Dune novel.
Spaihts, who is known for his work on the first Doctor Strange film and Passengers, co-wrote Dune with director Denis Villeneuve and Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, Munich, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). Now speaking with The Playlist, Spaihts was asked if the door will be open for a potential third film. "Yes. Frank Herbert wrote six novels, I believe, with a seventh partially completed upon his death that was completed [posthumously] by his son," Spaihts said.
"'Dune Messiah' is the next book, and it's one of three books with 'Dune,' 'Dune Messiah,' and 'Children of Dune,' that covers the lives of the characters we meet in the first novel. Subsequently, there's a giant leap in time and the series gets stranger and more epic as it carries on," Spaihts continued. "But 'Dune Messiah' picks up years after the close of 'Dune,' and yes, Denis has talked seriously about making that film as well, as a conclusion of the trilogy." Spaihts would go on to explain the complexities of the later Dune novels, and how they explore the blending of religions and politics to a greater extent than what the first Dune novel does.
While it seems Villeneuve would not direct any more Dune adaptations following a third film - since it completes the arcs of many of the original characters and seeing how the filmmaker is also attached to adapt Rendezvous with Rama - a Dune prequel spin-off series focusing on the Bene Gesserit titled Dune: Sisterhood is in early development, so fans shouldn't rule out anything just yet. Villeneuve and Spaihts will serve as executive producers on the series.
But until then, the focus now is on Dune: Part Two, as the highly anticipated epic has been well underway in pre-production and has already made some big casting announcements like Florence Pugh and Austin Butler filling the roles of Princess Irulan Corrino, the eldest daughter to Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, and the ruthless Harkonnen Feyd-Rautha, respectively. While a Part Two was actually never confirmed by Warner Bros., the sequel was officially greenlit a week after Dune's theatrical release this past October. Dune would go on to become a critical and box office success (especially during a pandemic era), grossing over $400 million worldwide also earning 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture.
Dune: Part Two is slated to release in theaters on October 20, 2023.
Source: The Playlist