Canadian director Denis Villeneuve wants to delve one last time into the novels of Frank Herbert, by adapting The Messiah of Dune in a third part. And then, the filmmaker intends to pass the reins on to others.
If Dune 2 is a success at the cinema, Denis Villeneuve is more than ready to shoot a third. And after ? The Canadian filmmaker intends to leave the adventure and leave the literary work of Frank Herbert to others. This is what the director suggested at the end of January, during an interview with Time magazine.
“Dune Messiah should be the last Dune movie for me », he slipped during the interview, while the release of the second part is very close – in France, the film is due to arrive in cinemas on February 28. The Messiah of Dune (Dune Messiah in original version) constitutes the second novel in the cycle of Dune.
There are then four other volumes which complete this cycle: Children of Dune, The God-Emperor of Dune, The Heretics of Dune and finally The Mothers’ House. Beyond the works written by Frank Herbert, an entire extended universe was then developed by other writers (Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson).
No “Dune 4” therefore for Denis Villeneuve, which, in all likelihood, would relate to the book succeeding the Messiah of Dune. Indeed, it is hard to imagine the filmmaker not concluding Dune 3 with the final pages of this book, and tell the final destiny of Paul “Muad’Dib” Atréides, and also of Chani.
The film Dune 3 waiting for confirmation
But before asking the question of a hypothetical Dune 4, which, if it sees the light of day, would be entrusted to someone else, we still need to obtain the assurance that Dune 3 will arrive well. However, for the moment, no officialization has taken place. No doubt the producers are waiting to see the theatrical success of the second part before writing a check again.
The studios are perhaps also waiting to know more about the scenario planned by Denis Villeneuve. In December, the person said he had almost finished writing the adaptation, according to comments made at a press conference and reported by Variety. A work still in progress. “ It will take a little time “, he clarified.
Finally, if there is a green light, we should not expect to see Dune 3 arrive in cinemas before a long time. Denis Villeneuve indicated that he wanted to get out of this universe by setting up another cinematographic project after Dune 2. Clearly, the filmmaker wants to take a break, after seven years at the helm – he joined the project in 2017.
“ I don’t know exactly when I will return to Arrakis “, he said during the press conference. “ I might take a detour first, just to get away from the sun. For my mental health, I might do something in between, but my dream would be to go one last time to this planet that I love. »
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