Iconic Composer Collaborates with Denis Villeneuve for ‘Dune Messiah’ Score Again

Hans Zimmer is confirmed to compose the music for Dune Messiah, the third film in Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi series. The news broke during a Variety interview at a premiere, where Zimmer shared, “I just spoke with Denis… we’ve got something — we’re on our way.”

The film, based on Herbert’s second novel, continues the story years after Dune: Part Two. Production is slated to begin in summer 2025, with a theatrical release planned for December 2026.

Zimmer, who scored both Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024), has already been thinking about the project. He revealed in past reports that Villeneuve shared the script early, prompting Zimmer to start sketching musical ideas before the script was finalized.

However, he recently noted that he hasn’t begun the actual scoring process, calling it “a very complicated one” due to the intricate and introspective nature of the Dune Messiah story.

His work on the previous films earned high praise. Zimmer’s innovative score for Dune (2021), featuring custom-built instruments and unique vocal techniques, won him an Oscar. The music shaped the epic, alien atmosphere of the series, making his return a relief for fans who value the consistent tone of the films.

Zimmer also addressed a recent controversy surrounding his Dune: Part Two score. The Academy disqualified it from Oscar consideration, arguing it reused too much material from the first film. In an interview on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused channel, Zimmer dismissed the decision as trivial. “You know something? It’s not really a sore point,” he said. “It’s just such a stupid point — how can it be a sore point?”

He explained that the two films form a single story arc, not a typical sequel, making it natural to reuse character themes. “I got disqualified because I was using material from the first movie in the second movie, but it’s not a sequel. It is the completion, both movies are one arc,” Zimmer stated. “So was I supposed to go and take all the character themes away and write new character themes and develop them? It’s just a stupid rule. What I didn’t want to do is go and bitch about it.” His calm response earned support from cast and crew, though the Academy’s ruling remains a point of debate.

With Zimmer and Villeneuve collaborating again, Dune Messiah promises to deliver another striking soundscape to match its complex narrative. Fans can look forward to hearing the deserts of Arrakis come alive once more in December 2026.

My Take: Zimmer’s return is great news for Dune fans. His music is a core part of what makes these films feel so grand and immersive. The Academy’s decision to disqualify his Dune: Part Two score seems unfair, especially since the films tell one continuous story. Zimmer’s dignified response shows his focus is on the art, not the drama.

I’m curious to see how he’ll tackle the challenging Dune Messiah score. What do you think about Zimmer’s return and the Oscar controversy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!