AfterDune: Part Twobroke new critical and financial ground for the franchise, anticipation is understandably high about a potential third movie. Yet,as exciting asDune: Part Threemight seemfrom the outside, there are several reasons for new fans to be cautious. As popular asPart Twowas,Dune 3promises to tell a very different kind of story – possibly alienating legions of new converts in the process.
By any metric,Dune: Part Twowas an epic success.The movie made over $700 million globally – a huge box-office milestonefor a story as cerebral and often downright strange as Frank Herbert’s original sci-fi novel. Narratively, the movie also ticked almost every box, bringing Paul Atreides' revenge arc to a close while simultaneously setting him up as the tyrannical leader of a group of terrifying religious fanatics.Dune: Part Two’s cliffhanger endingalso promises more drama for theDune-iverse, with the Fremen poised to take the fight to the stars. And yet, for all these positives, some fans may find the next installment a surprising disappointment.
…Dune 3will take the next chapter inDune’s story, the 1969 novelDune Messiah, as its inspiration.
BothDune: Part OneandPart Twohave been relatively faithful adaptations of Herbert’s source material. While key details have been changed, the broad strokes of the story have remained the same – satisfying existing literary fans and story newcomers alike. It follows, therefore, thatDune 3will take the next chapter inDune’s story, the 1969 novelDune Messiah, as its inspiration. However, while remaining faithful to Herbert’s vision will satisfy book fans, there are radical changes inMessiahthat may challenge fans only familiar with Villeneuve’s movies. In particular, three crucial differences inMessiahmay makeDune 3difficult to stomach.
Dune Messiah Doesn’t Feature The Sandworms
They Were A Major Selling Point Of The First Two Movies
The visual spectacle ofthe sandworms inDune: Part OneandPart Twowas a huge factor in both films' success. While the wider story handles weighty themes of fate, destiny, the dangers of religion, imperialism, and revenge, the prospect of seeing giant worms smashing their way through sand dunes provided some much-needed relief and made the story more accessible for audience members understandably interested in seeing the grandeur of Herbert’s vision effectively realized.The sandworms' role in creating spicealso makes them central players in the story. However, their role inDune Messiahmay prove very underwhelming for some.
Dune 3is expected to be released in 2026.
UnlikeDune: Part Two, where the worms are a central part of Paul’s battle plans against the emperor and the Harkonnens, they are an extremely peripheral presence inMessiah’s story. In fact, wherePart Twois an epic war drama featuring spectacular battles and grand set pieces,Messiahis altogether more self-contained and minimalist. Instead, the drama comes from internal political conflict and quiet scheming.
This low-key approach is far from boring. In fact, given Paul’s near-omnipotence, a direct physical challenge to his rule would be almost impossible, necessitating a different kind of threat. However, for audiences accustomed to seeing massive battles featuring huge monsters, the lack of sandworms (and major fights more generally) might feel like a letdown after the previous movie’s explosive story.IfDune 3sticks toMessiah’s plot, the movie that follows may seem much smaller to audiences who have come to the story through Villeneuve’s adaptations.
Chani’s Role In The Book Is Much Less Progressive
She Was A Revelation In Dune: Part Two
PerhapsDune: Part Two’s best book change concerned Chani’s rolein the narrative. In many ways, she was transformed from a peripheral character to the central moral force in the story – balancing her relationship with Paul against loyalty to her people, and often struggling to reconcile the two. She was also given far more autonomy in the movie, even going so far as to flee into the desert at the story’s climax rather than remain Paul’s concubine.
This role, coupled with Zendaya’s magnetic performance, has made Chani hugely popular among the movie’s fanbase. Unfortunately, whileDune 3could make some changes toMessiah’s story to maintain her new characterization,the next chapter in the saga will almost inevitably diminish Chanifrom the fearsome and independent warrior she appeared inPart OneandPart Two.
If Villeneuve faithfully brings this story to the big screen, Chani’s autonomy will be instantly diminished.
A key part ofMessiah’s story concerns Paul’s knowledge that he needs an heir to solidify his empire and that his wife, Irulan, is slipping Chani a contraceptive to prevent her from conceiving. Paul is aware of the situation. However,he also knows that once Chani gives birth, she will die, compelling him to maintain the status quo. If Villeneuve faithfully brings this story to the big screen, Chani’s autonomy will be instantly diminished. Suddenly, she will be transformed into a character who only exists to provide motivation for Paul. Considering how well-liked her role was inPart Two, such a change is sure to come as a shock to many viewers.
Paul’s Holy War Isn’t Really Part Of The Story
Part Two’s Cliffhanger Won’t Be Paid Off
Dune: Part Two’s ending, which sees the Fremen unleashed upon the galaxy, is simultaneously thrilling and terrifying. As has been alluded to at multiple points in the story,their campaign means war and bloodshed for anyone unfaithful to the Lisan al-Gaib– a prospect that, for anyone unfamiliar, suggests that the next installment in the franchise will be the most action-packed yet. The truth, however, is thatDune Messiah(and, therefore, presumablyDune: Part Three) takes a much more restrained approach.
…this action all takes place off-stage, with the narrative instead focusing on Paul’s desperate attempts to follow the best possible path for all humanity and a treacherous conspiracy to assassinate him.
Instead of focusing on the fundamentalist violence that defines Paul’s reign (the narrative estimates around 61 billion deaths across the empire),Dune Messiahuses the war as background.Set 12 years after the ending ofDune, this action all takes place off-stage, with the narrative instead focusing on Paul’s desperate attempts to follow the best possible path for all humanity and a treacherous conspiracy to assassinate him. It’s a thrilling tale of espionage and political drama. However, it may not be what manyDune: Part Twoviewers are expecting.
The fact thatDune: Part Threeprobably won’t show Paul’s holy war and will instead concentrate on events in Arrakeen may be a let-down for audiences anticipating a ratcheting up of the action. While the narrative makes sense, since any attempt to fully grasp the horror of the holy war would surely fall short,it may feel anti-climactic – especially afterPart Two’s astonishing Battle of Arrakeen. By skipping over the immediate aftermath of Paul’s victory, there’s a risk some new fans feel short-changed.
Dune Part 3 Can Still Be A Huge Success
Dune Messiah Is A Fantastic Story
These three points represent major differences betweenDune Messiahandthe story told in Denis Villeneuve’sDune: Parts OneandTwo. However, whileMessiahrepresents a bold approach for a franchise that has so far been built on spectacle, it is also a fantastic way to bring the saga to a close. The Arrakis-set narrative is a reminder thatthis period of the saga is, above all, Paul’s story. His development in the first two movies, from an optimistic hero to a potentially genocidal villain, is the key to their success.Messiahis the ultimate way to bring this arc to a close.
Any movie that adapts this story will have plenty of thrilling material to work with – irrespective of whether certain elements from the first films are present.
Herbert’s original tale explores the incredible psychological complexity at play, from Paul grappling with his own role and the extent of his powers, to his very human desire to live a normal life with Chani. It is a tortured portrait that makes him one of the most compelling sci-fi protagonists ever created and helps makeDune Messiahone of the all-time great sci-fi literary sequels. Any movie that adapts this story will have plenty of thrilling material to work with – irrespective of whether certain elements from the first films are present. Whatever its differences fromDune: Part Two,Dune 3can still end the franchise on a high.
