Riding high on the waves of excitement Dune: Part Onecreated in 2021, Dune: Part Two has many fans talking about the future of Denis Villeneuve’s take on the sci-fi epic. The second film of the franchise is expected to begin production by the end of this summer.
While much of the cast will remain the same for Dune: Part Two, Florence Pugh and Austin Butler have been rumored to join the cast, as well as the returning star Javier Bardem, hinting at a sandworm showdown for his sci-fi hero, Stilgar.
But the Dune universe isn’t done expanding.
Writer Jon Spaihts, who was nominated alongside Villeneuve and Eric Roth for Best Adapted Screenplay for the 94th Academy Awards, revealed in a conversation with The Playlist that he is already thinking of a third Dune film, as well as a planned HBO Max spin-off series, Dune: The Sisterhood, which is a prequel to the films that follow the Bene Gesserit and the plans that will ultimately lead them to the desert planet of Arrakis.
'Dune: Part One'Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
These expansions of the film’s franchise are all based on the six novels written by Frank Herbert, and a partially completed seventh novel that Herbert wasn’t able to finish before his death. Although Villeneuve is still working on completing his vision of the first novel, Spaihts told The Playlist, “Denis has talked seriously about making [Dune Messiah] as well, as a conclusion of the trilogy.”
Spaihts added, “Dune Messiah is a very interesting book, which in some ways, deconstructs Dune and plays as a cautionary tale, even more than Dune does, about the dangers of blending religion and politics, the hazards of following charismatic leaders, and the dangerous struggle that’s always alive between the individual and institutions.”
Spaihts noted in his conversation that despite leaving Dune: The Sisterhood series to focus on Dune: Part Two, the series is “carrying on” and “alive and well.” Spaihts admitted he isn’t allowed to talk much about any of the Dune projects that he is or isn’t working on, but he is excited about the opportunities for storytelling that Dune has given him.
As we wait with anticipation for Dune: Part Two to be released on Oct. 20, 2023, we can let our minds wander and speculate how gorgeous and meticulously crafted the expanding universe of Dune could be.
Are you excited about the upcoming Dune projects? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: The Playlist
