Dune Part 3 Officially Begins Production With Returning Cast and New Additions

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Part 3 has started filming in Budapest, bringing back Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya while adding new cast members like Robert Pattinson. The movie will adapt Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah novel and is set for release in December 2026.

Production Starts on Dune Part 3

Warner Bros and Legendary Entertainment confirmed that filming for Dune Part 3 has officially begun. The movie is being shot at Origo Film Studios in Budapest, with director Denis Villeneuve returning to complete his trilogy.

The studio shared an update on social media with a photo of sand dunes and a quote:

“On a journey into that land where we walk without footprints. Production has begun on the next film in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune trilogy.”

The movie was previously expected to start filming in 2026 but moved forward due to Villeneuve’s eagerness to continue the story.

Returning and New Cast Members

The main cast from Dune Part 1 and 2 will return, including:

• Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides
• Zendaya as Chani
• Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan
• Javier Bardem as Stilgar

Jason Momoa will also return as Duncan Idaho, despite his character’s death in the first movie. In the books, Duncan is brought back as a ghola (a cloned being). Momoa confirmed his return by saying:

“Well, I’m not sure if I’m going to get in trouble or not, but it’s the same thing like Game of Thrones. If you didn’t read the books, it’s not my fault, right? I’m going to be coming back.”

New additions include:

• Robert Pattinson as Scytale, a villain from the Bene Tleilax
• Nakoa-Wolf Momoa (Jason Momoa’s son) as Leto II, Paul and Chani’s son
• Ida Brooke as Ghanima, Paul and Chani’s daughter

Plot and Story Expectations

Dune Part 3 will adapt Dune Messiah, the second book in Frank Herbert’s series. The story takes place 12 years after Part 2, showing the consequences of Paul Atreides’ rise to power.

Villeneuve has described the film as a “tragedy” where Paul faces the fallout of his holy war. He said:

“Chani’s heart is broken, and the film will begin with the initiation of the Holy War. I feel a responsibility to finish this story after seeing how much people loved Part Two.”

Key plot points from the book include:

• Paul struggling with his role as Emperor
• Political schemes against him by the Bene Gesserit and other factions
• The return of Duncan Idaho as a ghola
• Chani’s difficult pregnancy and the birth of their twins

Dune 1 and 2 Recap

For those who need a refresher before Dune Part 3, here’s a quick summary of the first two movies:

Dune Part 1 (2021)

• House Atreides takes control of Arrakis, the desert planet where spice is mined.
• The Harkonnens betray and kill Duke Leto Atreides.
• Paul and his mother, Lady Jessica, escape into the desert and join the Fremen.
• Paul begins his journey to become Muad’Dib, the Fremen’s prophesied leader.

Dune Part 2 (2024)

• Paul trains with the Fremen and falls in love with Chani.
• He drinks the Water of Life, gaining powerful visions.
• Paul leads the Fremen in a war against the Harkonnens and Emperor Shaddam IV.
• By the end, Paul becomes Emperor but starts a holy war across the galaxy. Chani leaves him after he agrees to marry Princess Irulan for political reasons.

What to Expect in Dune Part 3

Fans can look forward to:

• More IMAX footage: The movie will include sequences shot with IMAX cameras for an immersive experience.
• A darker tone: Villeneuve has said this film will be more of a tragedy than an action epic.
• New characters: Robert Pattinson’s Scytale will play a key role as a manipulative antagonist.
• Expanded roles: Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan and Anya Taylor-Joy’s Alia Atreides will have bigger parts.

The movie is scheduled for release on December 18, 2026.

Also Read: Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya’s Dune 3 Officially Titled Dune: Part Three, Not Messiah

Credits: Information gathered from Warner Bros, Legendary Entertainment, IMDb, Variety, and official cast interviews.

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