Here’s How Dune 2 Ending Sets Up Dune Part 3

In a matter of days, Dune has become the biggest franchise for 2024 with Dune: Part Two scoring chart-breaking IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes ratings. However, even after this sequel, the story is still not complete. To finish the cinematic story for Dune, part three of this movie franchise is extremely important but the question is, will it be made? So, let’s look at what we see in Dune 2 and the clues it has for me to explain how it is almost confirmed that there will be a Dune 3.

Spoiler Warning: This article includes spoilers for Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two. Proceed with caution.

Dune Movies: Story Till Now

We all know that the Dune movies are based on the highly acclaimed novel series of the same name. As of now, in the two movies, we have seen the House Atreides take control of Arrakis and the Spice production on the planet. We have also witnessed the fall of House Atreides and the siege of Arrakis by the House Harkonnen.

Following this, we saw Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) realize his true destiny with the Fremens, rising as their leader, and not only taking back Arrakis but also overthrowing the Emperor gaining power over everything.

Now, putting that all in context, the movie series has just covered the first novel titled “Dune” in the series. Dune Part 1 covers the book’s first half, while Dune: Part 2 covers the second half of the novel.

By the end of Dune: Part Two, we get to see Paul and his army departing to begin the Holy War and that’s where the movie ends.

How Does Dune Part 2 Set up Dune Part 3?

Now, looking at the pattern Dune movies have followed so far, the creators are sticking strictly to the source material. Since Paul Atreides is now the Emperor, it is pretty much confirmed that we will get to see the story continue from Dune 2 into the next novel of the series, titled Dune: Messiah.

This novel continues 12 years after Paul Atreides became the Emperor of the known galaxy. In the novel, we see the Fremen warriors, under Paul’s leadership, wage war over the galaxy spreading the religion of the desert planet where Paul is looked up to and is worshipped as their Messiah.

This intergalactic war could be the ‘Holy War’ where Paul was seen leading his Fremen warriors by the end of Dune: Part 2. With a pretty straightforward ending, Dune 2 quite literally told us that the show isn’t over yet, and there’s more to come. So, it is pretty much confirmed that Dune: Part 3 will certainly be made.

Why There Will Be a Dune Part 3 Movie

Now you may ask, “How are you so sure that this movie will be made?” Let me explain. So, first off, the main thing is that the story hasn’t been told in its entirety and is still incomplete. Dune: Part 2’s ending was a new beginning in itself, and it misses out on the ending of the lore as per novels, so it’s pretty much confirmed that Dune: Part 3 will be made. However, these are just speculations after all so let’s talk numbers.

When Dune was released in 2021 with an extravagant cast, it made a Box Office collection of $434.8 million on a budget of $165 million, making it a huge success. Now, after the early screening of the second installment, the IMDb rating for this movie is one of the best movies ever made. And as per a recent report, the movie is on track for a $170 million opening on a $190 million budget.

Judging by the reviews and reactions from the early screening, people are extremely impressed by the movie, going as far as calling it the “movie of the century.” Considering this, it is also confirmed that Dune 2 is going to make a lot of money. If the movie is making a lot of money, it also generates a massive viewer base and the anticipation for the novel-accurate ending, the release of Dune Part 3 is almost inevitable.

Dune Part 3 Release Date (Expected)

Now, the question is, what could be the possible release date for Dune Part 3? Well, we don’t have an exact release date but have received hints from the Dune director. In a recent interview with The Times, the director of Dune, Denis Villeneuve, stated that Dune Part 3 will not begin work anytime soon because he does not want to rush it. He stated,

There is absolutely a desire to have a third one, but I don’t want to rush it. The danger in Hollywood is that people get excited and only think about release dates, not quality.

So, as of now, there is no confirmed release date for Dune Part 3 but since Dune Part One came out in 2021, followed by a 3-year gap and the release of Dune Part 2 in 2024, we can expect Dune Part 3 to come out sometime by 2026-end or mid-2027.

So, we will have to wait for quite some time to see what happens next in the Messiah’s tale. Till then, I will keep you updated with anything new that comes up. So, stay tuned!