Although Dune 2 suffered some delays, production began as of July 18, 2022. Although the film’s release is now set for November 2023 (instead of October 2023), fans can rest assured that work on the sequel has begun.
As filming for the sequel approached, more and more familiar faces were added to the cast in key roles. The sequel, officially titled Dune: Part Two, takes fans back to Arrakis to finish the story. Denis Villeneuve decided to split Frank Herbert’s novel into two parts, so part one would end with a huge cliffhanger.
After the success of part one, Villeneuve is already planning to adapt Herbert’s “Dune Messiah” for a possible third film. However, this will ultimately depend on how well part two does at the box office. Still, it would be unwise to bet against another successful Dune film.
But before we get too excited, here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about Dune: Part Two.
When does Dune Part Two come out?
Dune: Part Two was first scheduled to come out on October 20, 2023, but was delayed to November 17, 2023. They did not give a specific reason for the delay.
Unlike the first film, which debuted on HBO Max the same day it hit theaters in the United States, the sequel will likely have a unique theatrical premiere in the United States rather than a simultaneous streaming release.
As previously mentioned, filming for the sequel began on July 18, 2022. The film will be filmed in Budapest, Abu Dhabi, Jordan and Italy and as long as there are no delays during filming, we hope to return to Arrakis in November 2023. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!
Who will return part two?
With the announcement of the film adaptation, we got confirmation from everyone who will be returning for the sequel. In addition, we also found out what new faces will be seen in the second film. Timothée Chalamet will reprise his role as Paul Atreides, and he will be joined by Zendaya’s Chani. We already knew that Chani would play a bigger role in the second film after Paul finally met her at the end of the first film.
Zendaya added, “I want to develop with the people I get to learn from and with the characters I play. Anyone who has read the books knows that there is so much more to discover and absorb.”
The following cast members will also return for the new film: Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Javier Bardem as Stilgar, Stellan Skarsgård as the villainous Baron Harkonnen and Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban (aka “The Beast”), who is the Baron’s cousin.
Bardem, like Zendaya, will play a more important role in the sequel than in the original, as he told Vanity Fair that this was part of Villeneuve’s presentation to him.
He said, “I have a supporting role, if there is such a thing in a production like this; the role gets bigger in the second half of the book, and I’d like you to do it if you’re interested.” And I replied, “Of course. I don’t care if there’s a sequel or not.”
However, don’t expect Oscar Isaac as Duke Leto Atreides, Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, or Babs Olusanmokun as Jamis, because they were all killed off in the first film.
Some readers may hope that Momoa will return as Duncan Idaho in future books of the series, but it is unlikely that will happen in this sequel.
After House Harkonnen’s attack on Arrakis, the fates of Stephen McKinley Henderson’s Thufir Hawat and Josh Brolin’s Gurney Halleck remained unresolved, but they will both be featured in part two.
The cast has also been expanded to include new faces, including Elvis star Austin Butler who plays Feyd-Rautha, Florence Pugh who embodies Princess Irulan, Christopher Walken who takes on Emperor Shaddam IV, and Léa Seydoux who plays Lady Margot.
Souheila Yacoub has been cast as Fremen warrior Shishakli, but more surprises may be revealed now that filming has begun.
What is the story about?
In the first film, we follow Paul and Lady Jessica as they are taken in by the Fremen. The film covers about half of Herbert’s book and ends with Paul and Jessica on their way to Stilgar’s house.
In the sequel, Paul will lead a rebellion against the Empire after his House is greatly decimated. We will certainly see more visions from Paul’s future come to life.
After much deliberation, Villeneuve came to realize that his original idea of having the film end after Paul met the Fremen was correct.
Thanks to Paul’s gift of prediction, the first film contained exciting teasers for what the character might face in their future. As we mentioned earlier, this first half had to account for most of the world building. For Villeneuve, that groundwork was “heavy lifting” for the first film, now making part two “a frenzied playground.”
Villeneuve promised that the sequel will “flesh out some of these details more,” for example Feyd-Rautha. “It’s like a game of chess,” he said. At least the second part will introduce some interesting new characters.”
He also indicates that the sequel will contain much more “Harkonnen stuff.”
Javier Breadem stated that the sequel would not be just another typical adaptation, even for those who have read the book.
“I’ve read through the new piece very carefully and I think they’ve done a fantastic job of putting the pieces together in such a way that people will be shocked,” he added. “Of course, because they’ve read the book, they’ll be a little less surprised.
“I was really moved by it. It’s a film that’s full and heavy, but at the same time it’s beautiful and action-packed.”
The official description for the second sequel is as follows: “Paul Atreides will reunite with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against those who have destroyed his family. While he has the impossible choice between the love of his life and the destruction of the known universe, he will do everything possible to stop the future disaster he knows is coming.
How long do we have to wait?
Although filming for Dune: Part Two has yet to begin, we will have to wait a little longer for footage that is not expected until next year.
On November 17, 2023, Dune: Part Two will be released in cinemas.
