First Look at ‘Dune: Part Three’ Promises a Grand Finale to Denis Villeneuve’s Epic Trilogy
Fans of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films have reason to celebrate, as the highly anticipated Dune: Part Three is officially in production.
The movie will conclude Villeneuve’s acclaimed sci-fi trilogy, adapting Dune Messiah, the 1969 novel by Frank Herbert. Warner Bros. has confirmed that the film is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026.
Villeneuve once again directs and co-writes the script with Jon Spaihts, continuing his vision of the desert planet Arrakis and the rise of Paul Atreides.
Most of the main cast from Dune: Part Two will return, including Timothée Chalamet as Paul, Zendaya as Chani, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides. The film also introduces new cast member Robert Pattinson in a mystery role.
Production kicked off in July, with filming taking place at Origo Film Studios in Budapest. According to reports, additional scenes will be filmed in Abu Dhabi’s Liwa Oasis later in the year.
Villeneuve is taking a slightly different technical approach this time — Dune: Part Three is being shot on film, including select sequences in IMAX format. This marks the first time since his 2010 drama Incendies that Villeneuve has chosen to shoot on film rather than digitally.
The first behind-the-scenes photo from the set teased Timothée Chalamet with the caption “DUN3 LOADING…” shared across social media. Fans quickly began speculating about what’s next for Paul Atreides as his story moves closer to its dramatic end.
Timothée Chalamet on the set of ‘DUNE 3'
— ScreenTime (@screentime) October 17, 2025
“DUN3 LOADING…” pic.twitter.com/9C4blPFfCs
In February 2024, legendary composer Hans Zimmer was confirmed to return and score the final installment, continuing his collaboration with Villeneuve after creating the iconic soundscapes for the first two films.
By October, actress Rebecca Ferguson had already wrapped her scenes as Lady Jessica, suggesting filming was well underway and on schedule.
Warner Bros. Pictures will release Dune: Part Three exclusively in theaters on December 18, 2026.
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