Denis Villeneuve Explains Why His Dune Movies Won’t Really Be A Trilogy

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Denis Villeneuve Explains Why His Dune Movies Won't Really Be A Trilogy

As a devoted sci-fi enthusiast who has journeyed through the vast deserts of Arrakis countless times, I can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and nostalgia upon hearing Denis Villeneuve‘s latest words about Dune 3. Having been captivated by his breathtaking adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal work, I find myself eagerly awaiting the next installment in this epic saga.

Previously this year, one of the anticipated 2024 film releases emerged as “Dune: Part Two,” a continuation that came approximately one and a half years after Denis Villeneuve’s initial “Dune” movie, which adapted the second part of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel. However, Villeneuve is not finished with this science fiction universe, as he plans to direct “Dune 3,” a film adaptation of “Dune Messiah,” the second book in Herbert’s original series. Yet, Villeneuve has clarified that his “Dune” films should not be considered as a single trilogy.

Just finished sharing my plans to step away from the Toronto International Film Festival, immersing myself instead into the intricate world of Dune 3’s script. Fresh insights about the upcoming film have emerged, courtesy of Denis Villeneuve’s latest interview with Vanity Fair. When asked about the cliffhanger ending in Dune: Part Two leaving us yearning for more, he was queried about his progress on adapting Dune Messiah. Here’s what he had to say:

Initially, let me clarify that the first two movies were essentially a two-piece work, an adaptation of the first book. Now, those are complete. If I decide to create a third movie, it won’t be part of a traditional trilogy. Instead, if I return to that world, it would be to explore something fresh and unique.

From Denis Villeneuve’s point of view, working on the films Dune and Dune: Part Two, though they weren’t shot consecutively due to uncertainty about the success of the first film, formed one continuous creative journey for him. When he starts shooting Dune 3, it will feel like a fresh, standalone creative project rather than an extension of his earlier Dune films because they both adapt the original Dune novel. So while it’s accurate to categorize this series as a set of movies, Villeneuve prefers not to consider these three films as a traditional trilogy.

Indeed, following the publication of “Messiah,” Herbert penned four additional Dune books. His son Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson have further developed this universe through their own works. Therefore, it’s plausible that the Dune film series may extend beyond its initial three installments. However, if such an expansion occurs, Denis Villeneuve will not be at the helm as he stated:

Should ‘Dune: Messiah’ ever come to fruition, it would mark quite some time spent on Arrakis for me, and I’d be eager to explore new creative avenues. To ensure that the story of Messiah retains potential for further adaptations, if someone were to pick up where I leave off, I think it’s crucial to plant seeds in the project – these books are truly captivating, though challenging to adapt. They grow increasingly esoteric, making adaptation a bit tricky, but rest assured, I’m not completely ruling out the possibility. It might be another artist’s turn to bring Messiah to life.

The subsequent “Dune” books exhibit a noticeably distinct atmosphere from the original, but they can still potentially be successfully adapted. Nevertheless, it’s another filmmaker’s task to achieve this adaptation, even though I speculate that Denis Villeneuve might consider serving as an executive producer. In any case, fans of the two “Dune” movies directed by him so far should appreciate his willingness to return for “Dune 3”.

Even though the release date of the film adaptation of “Dune Messiah” hasn’t been announced yet, there is a “Denis Villeneuve Event Film” scheduled for December 18, 2026. This gives us a hint that we might be expecting it around that time. In the meantime, you can keep yourself entertained by streaming “Dune” and “Dune: Part Two” using your Max subscription as we wait for further updates on “Dune 3“.

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2024-09-11 16:12