Dune became an instant big hit the moment it hit the theatres in 2021, so it came as no surprise when they announced that there would be a second movie.
The first Dune movie won many awards at the 2022 Oscars. It won awards for best editing, best cinematography, and best visual effects to name a few.
Dune and Dune: Part 2 were inspired and adapted from the sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert. Denis Villeneuve directed Part 1 and will also direct the new Dune movie.
You will find everything you need to know so far about Dune: Part 2 in this movie guide, including the target release date, casting decision, plot lines, and more.
Dune: Part 2 Release Date: When Will the Movie Come Out?
The target release date for Dune: Part 2 was originally October 23, 2023, but it was later on, moved to November 17, 2023, instead. In October 2022, Marvel announced that it would be shifting its release calendar because of production delays in one of its films, Blade. With this news, Warner Bros. decided to move Dune: Part 2's release date to November 3, the original release date of Blade. The franchise's first movie was also released around the same time in 2021.
Dune: Part 2 will go toe-to-toe against Lionsgate's pre-Thanksgiving release, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Dune: Part 2 Filming
Villeneuve confirmed that there would be a second movie on October 26, 2021, but production did not immediately start. Villeneuve estimates that principal photography may begin by the Fall of 2022.
Recent news from Deadline report that the film begins production on July 4, Monday. The shoot will be held at Altivole, Italy, over at the Brion Tomb, which is a burial site that encompasses a garden and various water features. The tomb was designed by architect Carlo Scarpa in the late 1960s. Other scenes are also scheduled to be taken on July 21 in Budapest, Hungary - the same location where most scenes for the first Dune movie were taken.
On July 18, the official Twitter page of Dune posted a photo with the caption, "We’re rolling. Production on Dune: Part Two has begun. #DuneMovie," confirming that production is indeed on the way.
An article by Inverse suspects that the new filming locations for the film may affect the overall look of the second movie, with scenes shot in Italy.
On December 13 of the same year, the film wrapped up filming with Timothee Chalamet commemorating the end of filming through an Instagram post.
Dune: Part 2 Cast: Who are the Actors Included in the Movie?
Many of the actors from Dune may return to reprise their roles in Dune: Part 2.
Timothy Chalamet as Paul and Zendaya as Chani
So far, only two characters have been confirmed. These are Timothy Chalamet as Paul Atreides, the main protagonist of the movie, and Zendaya as Chani, the main love interest of Paul. Fans may be happy to learn that Zendaya may have more screen time and more active involvement in the second film compared to being shown for only a handful of minutes in Part 1.
In one of the Tweets on Dune's official page, we catch a glimpse of Arrakis through Chani's eyes.
Other Dune Part 2 Characters
We may also expect to see the return of most surviving characters from the first Dune movie.
Rebecca Ferguson may still play Lady Jessica, Oscar Isaac may return a Leto Atreides I, and Josh Brolin may still be Gurney Halleck. Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista ( as Glossu Rabban), Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa (as Duncan Idaho), and Javier Bardem (as Stilgar) may also reprise their roles in the second installment of Dune.
On August 24, Bautista posted on his Instagram, showing how he shaved his beard as he prepares to return as Glossu Rabban in Dune Part 2, with the caption:
If “the spice must flow” [then] the beard must go
There have been reports that new actors, such as Austin Butler, who may play Feyd-Rautha, will join these ranks soon. The latest addition to the Dune cast is Christopher Walken, who was cast to play the Emperor, and Léa Seydoux, who is in negotiations to play the character of Lady Margot.
Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan
There have been reports that Florence Pugh will join Dune Part 2 as Princess Irulan. This was confirmed when we got a first-look photo of the actress as the princess on set, as shared via Twitter.
Pugh is preparing to better equip herself for her new role in the film in the best way possible. She shared a photo of her reading the novel while on the beach on her Instagram account.
More Sandworms in Dune 2
One of the most iconic things from the Dune novel was the Sandworm. We only saw the giant worm emerge from the sands five times in the first Dune movie, but we may see more of the worm in Part 2.
In the second half of the novel, the Sandworms appear more frequently, and because Dune Part 2 is set to follow the events in the latter part of the book, the Sandworm may rear its terrifying head more.
Dune: Part 2 Crew: Who are the Creatives Behind the Scenes?
Denis Villeneuve, who previously helmed other sci-fi movies such as Blade Runner 2049 and the first Dune movie, will direct Dune: Part 2. The movie will still be based on the science fiction novel written by Frank Herbert.
Most of the award-winning creatives will return to work on Dune: Part 2. This includes John Spaihts, who wrote the screenplay, and executive producers Herbert Gains, Joshua Grode, Josh Harrison, Brian Herbert, and Kim Herbert.
Dune: Part 2 Plot: What Will be the Movie's Story?
Dune: Part 2 may pick up from where the first movie left us with a cliffhanger. Though there is no official synopsis yet for the film, we can make safe assumptions based on the events in Dune and the novel.
Paul and his mother, Lady Jessica, may have to resort to forming an alliance with the Fremen to save the universe and meet the challenges of House Harkonnen. We may watch Paul slowly rise to power as the battle against the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV builds into a full-fledged rebellion.
Paul may re-identify himself as Muad'Dib, the dessert mouse he and his mother have a chance encounter with on their way to meet with the Fremen.
Paul may also marry Princess Irula as a political strategy.
If Dune: Part 2 does well, there is a high chance that we may see another Dune movie based on the novel The Messiah of Dune.
Dune: Part 2 Official Synopsis
Warner Bros and Legendary also shared the official synopsis for Dune: Part 2.
This follow-up film will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
Dune: The Sisterhood
The Dune universe flows like the spice.
HBO Max confirms an original series from the franchise called Dune: The Sisterhood. The series will be aligned with Dune movies but is said to be set 10,000 years before the events in the films. The series will tell the story of the Bene Gesserit, a religious order of female 'witches.' The Bene Gesserit is probably most known for the famous Dune quote, "fear is the mind-killer."
Dune: Part 2 Trailer: Is There a Trailer for the Second Dune Movie?
The trailer for Dune Part 2 premiered on May 3 and gave us a peek into the action and the drama that will come in the second film.
You can recap the first movie by watching the trailer here:
Dune: Awakening
Dune: Awakening is a new video game inspired by the novel. It was announced on August 24 and is set to be a 'massively multiplayer game,' thus allowing online players to interact while exploring the vast Arrakis.
Where to Watch Dune: Part 2: Where Can I Watch the Movie?
Dune: Part 2 will debut exclusively in theatres on its current release date, November 17, 2023. After its initial release, the movie has to complete its 45-day theatrical window before it can be streamed on HBO Max.
Warner Bros usually premieres their movies on theatres and on streaming sites on the same day, but it was part of Villeneuve's condition to complete the theatrical window first. Villeneuve wants to give enough allowance to accommodate the scope and scale of Dune as a movie, thus, his insistence on following the theatrical window.
Dune: Part 2 will take us back to Arrakis, and boy, are we glad to be back