Warner Bros.Dune 2 is now behind us, and with the film setting up a holy war, minds are already turning to the Dune 3 release date. Here’s everything we know about the sci-fi movie.
Anticipation has been sky-high for Dune since Denis Villeneuve announced that he’d be splitting Frank Herbert’s Dune books into multiple movies.
The first film set a lot up, but in ending the story at the halfway point, the movie climaxed with less of a bang and more of a whimper.
But the Dune 2 release date has come and gone, and Part Two improves on its predecessor in many ways, as we wrote in Dexerto’s Dune 2 review. So what’s happening with Dune 3’s story and cast, and when is it coming out?
When is the Dune 3 release date?
Warner Bros.Dune 3 is set to release on December 18, 2026.
Filming commenced on July 8, 2025, and has reportedly wrapped as of November 11, 2025. This leaves just over a year for post-production work on the ambitious final chapter.
TAs Variety first reported in April 2024, a third Dune film is confirmed to be in the works, with Villeneuve set to round out his trilogy.
While the director had planned to take a break from working on Dune 3 to pivot off to other projects, he confirmed in an interview with Deadline on October 17, 2024, that he will ”go back behind the camera faster than [he] initially thought.”
Of course, next on Villeneuve’s plate is James Bond, with a new lead actor set to kickstart a new era for the spy franchise.
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Dune 3 cast: Who’ll be in it?
Timothée Chalamet is obviously returning as Paul Atreides, while Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Josh Brolin, and Florence Pugh all reprise their roles too.
When asked if fans can expect Chalamet, Zendaya, Pugh and Taylor-Joy to return, Denis was steadfast that they would all be back. “They have to return. They are with the main cast when it happens,” he revealed.
As for new cast members, it’s been confirmed Robert Pattinson will appear in the third film, though the nature of his role is yet to be specified.
The Dune 3 cast list:
- Timothée Chalamet as Duke Paul-Muad’Dib Atreides
- Zendaya as Chani
- Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica
- Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck
- Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan Corrino
- Dave Bautista as Count Glossu Rabban
- Christopher Walken as Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV Corrino
- Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot Fenring
- Souheila Yacoub as Shishakli
- Charlotte Rampling as Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam
- Javier Bardem as Stilgar
- Babs Olusanmokun as Jamis
- Roger Yuan as Lieutenant Lanville
- Alison Halstead as Maker Keeper
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides
- Robert Pattinson – TBD
Warner Bros.Dune 3 plot: What will it be about?
Dune 3 will likely cover the book Dune Messiah. It was a divisive sequel when it hit shelves, with Paul Atreides as much of a villain as a hero in the story as he begins a holy war.
And while it is unclear what exact plot points the next film will focus on, director Denis Villeneuve has confirmed that the new movie “will finish the Paul Atreides arc.”
In Messiah, Paul Atreides defeated House Harkonnen and Emperor Shaddam IV, but his victory caused war and the death of billions throughout the universe.
With chaos and betrayal surrounding him, Paul faces opposition from former allies and accepts a gift from the Tleilaxu, a guild of genetic manipulators.
He intends to find a glimmer of hope for peace and friendship. However, this decision may result in him losing the Fremen‘s support, his most dedicated supporters, and put his empire at risk.
For more sandworms and blue eyes, find out how to watch Dune 2, when to pee during Dune 2, and see what Dune gaming crossovers you can play.