Dune: Part Three

Premise

Nearly two decades after Paul Atreides seized control of the Imperium, he rules as a ruthless Emperor. He must confront the consequences of his reign as old allies return, new threats emerge, and betrayal lurks. Haunted by visions of Imperial collapse and the reappearance of his long-lost love, Paul is drawn into a conspiracy with Chani at its heart.

Cast

Timothée Chalamet plays Paul Atreides, the Padishah Emperor. Jason Momoa appears as Hayt, a ghola of Duncan Idaho. Florence Pugh plays Irulan, Paul's wife. Rebecca Ferguson is Lady Jessica. Isaach de Bankolé plays Farok, a disillusioned former Fedaykin. Charlotte Rampling returns as Reverend Mother Mohiam. Anya Taylor-Joy portrays Alia Atreides. Robert Pattinson plays Scytale, a Tleilaxu Face Dancer. Javier Bardem is Stilgar. Josh Brolin appears as Gurney Halleck. Nakoa-Wolf Momoa and Ida Brooke portray Leto II and Ghanima Atreides.

Production

Legendary Entertainment acquired adaptation rights for Frank Herbert's Dune in 2011, and later secured film and TV rights for the franchise in 2016. Denis Villeneuve was hired to direct, and a two-part adaptation was produced with Warner Bros. Pictures. While promoting Dune (2021), Villeneuve stated he planned to adapt Dune Messiah if the films succeeded. After Dune: Part Two was greenlit, Villeneuve reiterated this intention.

Screenwriter Jon Spaihts confirmed in March 2022 that Villeneuve still had plans for a third film. Villeneuve intends for Dune Messiah to be his final Dune film and wanted a break before producing it. Following the release of Dune: Part Two, Legendary CEO Joshua Grode said the studio was engaged in development. In March 2024, Villeneuve said he would make the film only if the script was superior to Part Two.

By April 2024, the film was confirmed in development. In June 2024, Warner Bros. announced a December 18, 2026 release date. In October 2024, Villeneuve said he expected to begin production sooner than previously expected. In August 2025, Linus Sandgren was confirmed as cinematographer, replacing Greig Fraser.

Principal photography began in July 2025 and wrapped that November, taking place in Budapest and Abu Dhabi. Hans Zimmer returned to compose the score.

Release

Dune: Part Three is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States by Warner Bros. Pictures on December 18, 2026, in IMAX. The film will have a three-week IMAX exclusivity period over Avengers: Doomsday. Select IMAX 70 mm tickets for 19 locations went on sale April 6, 2026, and sold out within minutes. A short preview was shown at IMAX 70 mm screenings of The Odyssey.