The cosmic holy war will soon be back on the big screen, with director Denis Villeneuve confirming Dune: Part Two is deep into pre-production.
Speaking in a pre-recorded address from Budapest to attendees at CinemaCon, the Canadian director revealed Dune: Part Two is underway in pre-production. The film is expected to start shooting in July, with a threequel in mind.
It’s great news for fans of the seminal science fiction book series, with the second attempt at a cinematic Dune movie one of the biggest blockbusters of 2021. Grossing $400 million from a budget of $165 million, its legacy was aided by its simultaneous release in cinemas and on streaming services.
Dune cleaned up at the 2022 Academy Awards, winning the top gongs for Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Cinematography and several other categories.
Dune: Part Two is expected to round out the events of the first Dune book. If rumors are to be believed, Austin Butler will be joining Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya in the cast for Part Two. Florence Pugh is also set to star in the science fiction sequel.
Confirmed to return is composer Hans Zimmer, who won the Oscar for Best Original Score for his work on Dune.
Dune: Part Two is currently set to release Oct. 23, 2023, in what is expected to be the second of a trilogy. Villeneuve has also signed on to executive produce a spin-off series based off the Sisterhood of Dune novel, which will premiere exclusively on HBO Max.