Dune 2, officially known as Dune: Part Two, is expected to resolve the huge cliffhanger from the first movie, and there is a huge possibility that it would not be the final visit to Arrakis. Director Denis Villeneuve previously hinted that he might consider turning the films into a trilogy as he goes on to adapt Frank Herbert’s second book called Dune Messiah.
The much-awaited sequel will be one of the biggest movies of the year. Dune: Part Two reportedly completed filming in December 2022, as per the behind-the-scenes snaps Timothee Chalamet shared online.
Here are all the details we know about Dune: Part Two so far.
Dune: Part Two Release Date: When Can Fans Expect To See Dune 2?
Following a number of release date adjustments, Dune: Part Two is expected to hit the theaters on Nov. 3, 2023. To recall, it was scheduled for an Oct. 20, 2023 release before being pushed back to Nov. 17, 2023, and then Warner Bros shifted forward to its present release date.
Reports have it that Dune: Part Two is unlikely to be released on HBO’s Max streaming service on the same day that it will be officially shown in U.S. cinemas. In other words, the imminent sequel movie will have an exclusive theatrical release rather than a day-and-date streaming release.
The filming for Dune: Part Two kicked off on July 18, 2022, and took place in Italy, Jordan, Abu Dhabi and Budapest. Shooting reportedly wrapped in December 2022.
Dune: Part Two Cast: Who Is Returning For Dune 2?
Timothee Chalamet is confirmed to make a comeback as Paul Atreides. Singer-actress Zendaya will join him as his co-lead and portray Chani, who fans knew would have a bigger role to play in Dune: Part Two after Paul finally met her at the end of the first film. Rebecca Ferguson is also back as Lady Jessica, who is the mother of Paul Atreides, and reports suggest that she will have a larger role to play in the forthcoming sequel.
Of Lady Jessica’s future in the movie, director Denis Villeneuve told Town & Country:
"Lady Jessica kind of disappears in the second part of the book, and I made sure as I was writing the screenplay to do the opposite, to make sure that she will be active, to bring her back to the front of the story. I'm looking forward for the world to see what Rebecca [Ferguson] has accomplished. She's not afraid to go very far away. She's a force that I can count on.”
Other returning cast includes Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban, Stellan Skarsgard as Baron Harkonnen and Javier Bardem as Stilgar. Just like Zendaya and Rebecca, it was claimed Javier would have a bigger role in Dune: Part Two.
The actor even told Vanity Fair:
“He [Villeneuve] said, 'I have a small role, if there is such a thing, as the second part of the book the role will be bigger, and I would love you to do it if you want to.' And I said, 'Of course, I want to. I don't care if there's a second movie or not.”
There have been speculations that Aquaman star Jason Momoa might return as Duncan Idaho later in the movie series, but it is very unlikely to happen in Dune: Part Two. Of course, Stephen McKinley Henderson and Josh Brolin are also confirmed to be back as Thufir Hawat and Gurney Halleck, respectively.
Dune: Part Two will also be featuring new faces such as Lea Seydoux as Lady Margot, Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan and Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha. Souheila Yacoub was also announced to be joining the cast in July 2022 to portray Fremen warrior Shishakli.
Dune: Part Two Plot: What Will Happen in Dune 2?
When Dune: Part Two was confirmed, its first plot synopsis was released too. It read:
"This follow-up film will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavours to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee."
Actor Javier Barden previously teased how the imminent sequel will not be a straightforward adaptation of the book. Dave Bautista, for his part, has been hyping Dune: Part Twoclaiming that the sequel is "so amped up from the first film. There's just so much going on, it's so much more cutthroat and political and intense."
Meanwhile, costume designer Jacqueline West divulged that Dune: Part Two will explore the “different worlds of Dune.” She told Deadline:
"All the worlds get expanded. It was about creating three separate, different-looking worlds and also revisiting the Bene Gesserits, the age-old ones with these costumes that almost look like Egyptian mummies. I think it's visually stunning, the sets, the cinematography and the concepts."
Dune: Part Two Trailer: Where Can Fans Watch The Official Teaser For Dune 2?
Fans were treated to the first look at Dune: Part Two on May 3, 2023. The trailer threw them back into Frank Herbert’s world, where Paul Atreides attempted to wrangle a sandworm as viewers get glimpses of his new life.
The first official trailer of Dune: Part Two also gave fans their first look at Austin Butler and Florence Pugh and the budding romance between the characters of Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya.
Watch the trailer below:
Stay tuned to EpicFlix for the latest news and updates about Dune: Part Two!
