Dune 3: Filming Has Begun!
The movie is to be partly shot in IMAX format
Finally! Filming for the grand finale of the "Dune" saga has begun. According to Variety, the title of the blockbuster has also been revealed: It is simply "Dune: Part Three".
Right on time for the start of filming, director Denis Villeneuve posted a first photo on X, showing the desert of Arrakis. Just a few days ago, rumors circulated that Zendaya, reprising her role as Chani, had already arrived in Budapest. Just like the previous movies, shooting is taking place in the Hungarian capital. The exterior scenes are likely to be filmed once again in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
From a technical standpoint, "Dune: Part Three" once again has big ambitions. As with the previous installments, Villeneuve is relying on stunning visuals – this time even partially in the IMAX format. Originally, IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond hinted in an interview that the movie would be shot entirely with IMAX cameras, similar to Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey", which is the first film to be fully produced using this technology. However, it later became clear that Gelfond had apparently misspoken: While "Dune: Part Three" will include spectacular IMAX sequences, a full IMAX shoot is not planned.
Denis Villeneuve emphasized to Variety that the film is not a traditional conclusion to a trilogy. The first two movies were conceived as a single, cohesive work: A complete adaptation of the first novel. The new film, however, will be deliberately different and have its own identity. The story centers on the reign of Paul "Muad'Dib" Atreides, who is at the peak of his power after the events of the first two movies. Although the title "Dune Messiah" was not officially adopted, the storyline remains largely the same.
However, a variation of the story seems likely, as was already the case with Chani in "Dune: Part Two". The theatrical release of "Dune: Part Three" is still scheduled for December 18, 2026.
An Emperor on the Brink: The Story of "Dune: Part Three"
Like the first two movies, "Dune: Part Three" is also based on the novels by Frank Herbert. This means the general storyline is basically already known – although director Denis Villeneuve will surely add his own touches, and some details may differ from the original. In this section, we provide an outlook on what to expect according to Herbert's novel "Dune Messiah". If you want to avoid spoilers, it's best to skip this.
The story picks up about twelve years after the events of the previous film. Paul Atreides, now risen to the status of a godlike Emperor, rules the universe from his throne on Arrakis. But his claim to power comes at a high cost: A merciless jihad rages in his name, already claiming the lives of billions. With his extraordinary abilities, Paul can see numerous visions of the future – yet almost all of them lead to destruction. Only one path, known as the "Golden Path," promises salvation for humanity.
At the heart of the story is a dark plot against the ruler. Several powerful factions – including the former Emperor Shaddam IV, the Guild Navigators, the Bene Gesserit, and Paul's official wife, Princess Irulan – unite to break Paul's growing power. Their goal: To prevent the "Golden Path," which they see as a threat to their own interests and the future of humanity. A key part of this plan is the return of Duncan Idaho – or rather, Hayt, an artificially resurrected version of Paul's loyal friend and former mentor. Hayt is meant to gain Pau''s trust, only to overthrow him at a critical moment.
Love, Loss, and Destiny: Paul and Chani
Alongside intrigue and power struggles, the relationship between Paul Atreides and Chani is also at the center of the story. Chani is pregnant, and Paul is confronted in his visions with a terrible truth: The birth of their child will not only secure the continuation of his bloodline but also mean Chani's death. This premonition plunges Paul into a deep inner conflict – torn between his love for Chani and the burden of the "Golden Path," which he must follow for the sake of humanity.
However, this is where an intriguing deviation from the literary source material may occur. In Denis Villeneuve's "Dune: Part Two", Chani leaves Paul at the end of the movie and returns to the desert. How this separation will be continued and resolved in "Dune: Part Three" remains uncertain – making the fate of their relationship one of the film's most compelling elements. The dramatic climax of the story is an assassination attempt on Paul. During a ceremonial gathering, an atomic weapon is detonated, causing Paul to lose his sight. Yet, thanks to his prophetic abilities, he remains able to "see" the world around him, despite being physically blind.
Shortly afterward, Chani gives birth to twins: Leto II and Ghanima. But Paul's darkest vision comes true – Chani dies during childbirth. Her death plunges him into deep despair. At the same time, Paul realizes that he can no longer turn away from the Golden Path. The loss of his great love, combined with his responsibility for his children, forces him to make a fateful decision.
In the end, Paul entrusts his twins to the care of Princess Irulan and his sister Alia. He then walks alone into the desert – following the Fremen tradition of leaving a broken ruler to the sands. In doing so, he surrenders his fate to his children, who are seen as the new hope for the universe.