Dune 3: Timothée Chalamet makes a clear statement about his future as Paul Atreides
He also describes the new Dune film as the eeriest of all three installments
At the end of the year, Timothée Chalamet can be seen in theaters in the eagerly awaited sequel "Dune 3." But there is one downside: in the third part of the science fiction saga, he will play Paul Atreides for the last time. Chalamet confirmed this at Variety and CNN's town hall event. In conversation with Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey, he said clearly and unequivocally:
It was my last time doing a 'Dune' film.
Precisely because it is to be his last appearance as Paul Atreides, Chalamet considers working on "Dune: Part Three" to be something very special: "So I really wanted to treat it as sacred," he is quoted by Variety. "Because people can get complacent, but I was more intense on the third one." In doing so, he apparently took his cue from great role models. Chalamet compares his performance to those of Matthew McConaughey in "Interstellar," Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight," and Marlon Brando in "Apocalypse Now." Only to then backtrack and be a little more modest: "Actually, wait, let me rephrase all of that! Hold up. I cannot put myself in that same boat."
Dune 3: Dark sequel
He only briefly touches on the content of the third "Dune" film: "It's the eeriest one," he announces. "It's a big swing." In fact, "Dune 3" is likely to be extremely dark. The sequel is based on the 1969 novel "Dune Messiah". In this volume of Frank Herbert's six-part "Dune" saga, 12 years have passed since Paul seized power. However, his power is not limited to the throne of Arrakis, but extends throughout the universe. The result: billions of people lose their lives in the course of the war. What was already hinted at in the film "Dune 2" thus becomes a certainty here. Paul Atreides is the chosen one, but he is no shining light. Instead, the supposed savior becomes a tyrant who brings death and destruction.
It remains to be seen to what extent "Dune 3" will follow the plot of the novel. However, the fact that, according to Chalamet, it is supposed to be the "eeriest" of the three films already suggests that the film adaptation will continue to explore Paul's turn to the dark side of the Force. In any case, it is certain that, as in the first two films, Denis Villeneuve will once again be directing. Together with Jon Spaihts, he is also responsible for the screenplay once more. The cast once again features a number of high-profile stars. Alongside Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, we see Zendaya as Chani, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, and Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho. New to the cast is Batman actor Robert Pattinson as Scytale. Dune 3 is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026.
Dune 4: A question of success
The first two "Dune" films grossed together over a billion US dollars at the global box office. Given this commercial success, expectations for "Dune: Part Three" are correspondingly high. If the third installment also becomes a hit, we can probably expect another film adaptation. Frank Herbert's novel "Children of Dune" could then possibly serve as the basis for "Dune 4". Published in 1976, the book is the sequel to "Dune Messiah" and tells the story of Paul Atreides' offspring, the twins Leto II and Ghanima. However, if the novel is made into a film, it won't just be Timothée Chalamet who is missing. Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is also not expected to be on board as director for a possible fourth installment of "Dune." Instead, he will devote himself to another, no less gigantic franchise. Villeneuve has been signed on to direct the next James Bond film.
Timothée Chalamet in the running for an Oscar
Timothée Chalamet's career is also going well. After being nominated for an Oscar last year for his role as legendary musician Bob Dylan in the biopic "A Complete Unknown," he can once again hope to win the coveted award at this year's ceremony. Thanks to his acclaimed performance as an ambitious table tennis player in "Marty Supreme," he is considered one of the favorites in the race for the Academy Award for Best Actor.
