Dune: Part Two - Everything You Need to Know About the Release Date, Trailers, Cast, and More..
We explore where Denis Villeneuve's adaptation is headed next, examining potential plot developments from the source novel and the exciting new cast additions, including Christopher Walken, Florence Pugh, and Léa Seydoux.
It finally happened. After one film adaptation and numerous attempts to bring Frank Herbert's Dune to both critical and commercial success, director Denis Villeneuve, along with Legendary and Warner Bros. Pictures, achieved that goal with the release of 2021's Dune. The film captivated audiences with its stunning depiction of the distant future, and Villeneuve's careful adjustments to the source material made the complex story more accessible than ever. Since those adjustments included only half of the novel, a natural sequel was always on the horizon. Once Dune proved to be a hit, the studio quickly announced Dune: Part Two was in the works.
So, what’s next for Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet)? Will the story reach its conclusion, or are there more chapters to come in the Dune saga? While fans of Herbert's work have a sense of what’s to come, let’s piece together what we know about Dune: Part Two and see if we can gain a glimpse into Paul’s prophetic future.
The Path Of Dune: Part Two
Given where Dune ends—with Chani (Zendaya) declaring, "this is only the beginning"—Dune: Part Two will follow the latter half of Frank Herbert’s first Dune novel. In the story, Paul continues to train with his Fremen allies, while he and his mother, Lady Jessica, teach them the Bene Gesserit combat technique known as the Weirding Way. As they do, the Fremen begin to see Paul as their long-awaited messiah. Although Lady Jessica is aware of this prophecy—having been part of the Bene Gesserit's plan to plant it among the Fremen—she fears its consequences, knowing it could lead Paul down a dangerous path. Paul himself shares these concerns, as his prescient visions have shown him the possible dangers, though he accepts certain aspects of that future, such as embracing the name "Muad'Dib."
Meanwhile, across the universe, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen continues to manipulate his nephew, Feyd-Rautha, preparing him to take his place as ruler and, if all goes according to plan, claim the Lion Throne of the Padishah Emperors. However, the Baron is growing suspicious that Feyd may be plotting to kill him. Feyd’s importance extends beyond his uncle’s ambitions, as he’s also of interest to the Bene Gesserit, who are still working to produce the Kwisatz Haderach, especially after the apparent loss of the Atreides bloodline.
Ultimately, all roads lead back to Arrakis, where Emperor Shaddam IV focuses his attention after Spice production falters. But his arrival on the desert planet could trigger a monumental shift in the political landscape of the Imperium.
The Worlds Of The Sequel
The setting of Dune: Part Two will largely maintain the same atmosphere as its predecessor, with most of the action unfolding on the desert planet of Arrakis, the source of the precious Spice Melange. However, the story also takes us back to the Harkonnen homeworld of Geidi Prime. Although we’ve seen glimpses of it in the first film, Feyd-Rautha’s full introduction occurs during a gladiatorial challenge, which may tie into a plot to eventually eliminate the Baron. Since Geidi Prime played a significant role in the original movie, it’s likely that this scene will be adapted in some way.
While the novel never directly shows the Imperial throneworld of Kaitain, the epigraphs at the start of each chapter—attributed to Princess Irulan Corrino—could give Denis Villeneuve the creative flexibility to bring the planet to life. Past adaptations have envisioned Kaitain in different ways: David Lynch depicted it as an opulent world of gold and marble, while Alejandro Jodorowsky had plans to make it a literal planet of gold. Though Villeneuve might avoid fully embracing these interpretations, it’s possible that a few scenes set on Kaitain could serve as an introduction to Emperor Shaddam IV and his family.
Returning To The Path
The returning cast includes Timothée Chalamet as Paul, Rebecca Ferguson as Jessica, Zendaya as Chani, and Javier Bardem as Stilgar, all of whom continue their roles following the events of the first film, having survived them unambiguously. Stellan Skarsgård also reprises his role as the Baron, with his character’s arc expanding significantly in the second half of the story, as his larger plan unfolds and his strained relationship with his nephew intensifies—until, that is, he becomes aware of the growing situation on Arrakis. While not officially confirmed, Stephen McKinley Henderson is expected to return as Thufir Hawat, the Mentat Master of Assassins. Though House Atreides was defeated in the first film, Hawat still plays a crucial role in the unfolding narrative, and viewers may be surprised by his actions.
Josh Brolin is also likely to return as Gurney Halleck, though the timing of his reappearance is still unclear. Furthermore, Charlotte Rampling is expected to reprise her role as the Bene Gesserit Mother, Helen Gaius Mohaim, in at least one scene in Part Two.
While we don't anticipate appearances from Oscar Isaac or Jason Momoa in this installment, it’s always possible they could make brief appearances, given that Paul’s abilities allow him to perceive both past and future events.
Joining The Path
Dune: Part Two also introduces several new characters, with two of the most significant being Christopher Walken as Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV and Austin Butler, recently known for his role in Elvis, as Feyd-Rautha. While the Baron remains a central antagonist, both the Emperor and Feyd-Rautha become more direct threats to Paul—especially since the Emperor has long been the adversary Paul has known was lurking in the background. If the film follows the novel’s plotline involving Feyd’s confrontation on Geidi Prime, it will highlight his immediate physical danger to Paul.
However, one of the most crucial new additions for the future is Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan. Though Irulan’s role in the novel is minimal—appearing in just one scene without speaking—her influence is pervasive throughout the story, particularly through various historical accounts attributed to her. When it was first rumored that Pugh would take on the role, it was reported that the script was being adjusted to give her a more substantial presence. This suggests that her character will play a more active role in Part Two, which is essential for the broader storyline. Irulan’s involvement in the next chapter of Dune is pivotal, making Pugh’s casting a strategic choice for the future of the franchise.
Other new characters who may appear, though yet to be cast, include Fremen such as Korba and Reverend Mother Ramallo, as well as, most likely, Jessica’s daughter, Alia.
Denis Villeneuve returns as director for Dune: Part Two and, according to various reports, plans to stay on for a third film, which is expected to be an adaptation of Dune Messiah. In this sequel, characters like Irulan, Reverend Mother Mohiam, and others plot against Paul. While Paul cannot discern the specifics of their scheme, he welcomes it for his own reasons, possibly tied to the vision he had after his father’s death and the path he foresaw.
Jon Spaihts also returns as a writer. While he initially planned to focus on the HBO Max spinoff Dune: The Sisterhood, he handed over those duties to Diane Ademu-John when the scope of Part Two grew too large to balance both projects.
Other familiar faces behind the scenes include director of photography Greig Fraser, editor Joe Walker, production designer Patrice Vermette, and costume designer Jacqueline West. Hans Zimmer will also return to provide his distinctive musical perspective on the Dune universe.
When It Returns And When It Continues
Dune: Part Two is currently slated for release on November 3, 2023, though this could shift, given that Warner Bros.' film schedule remains fluid. Should the film follow in the footsteps of its predecessors’ success, it's likely that Villeneuve will return to adapt Dune Messiah. Whether that film retains the Dune Messiah title, however, is open to speculation. To maintain consistency and distinguish it from other potential Dune projects, it could be branded as Dune: Part Three, with future films then taking on the actual titles of the novels, such as Children of Dune and God Emperor of Dune.
However, like the studio's release calendar, the future of the Dune film franchise is still flexible. The conclusion of Part Two will naturally offer a sense of closure, as will Dune Messiah. Yet, even within the pages of Dune Messiah, Frank Herbert was already envisioning a grander narrative that wouldn’t be fully resolved in the four subsequent novels he wrote during his lifetime. His son, Brian Herbert, and co-writer Kevin J. Anderson later required two more novels to complete the conclusion Herbert had outlined. Warner Bros. may be eyeing a long-term franchise with multiple films, but given how complex and esoteric the Dune series becomes—and how far it stretches from the original conflict and characters—it’s still unclear how much of the grand vision Paul foresaw will make it to the big screen.
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