When is Dune 2 coming? The first part only tells half of the science fiction book. We explain when the sequel will be released and what the film is about.
The new Dune movie starts with a promise. Even before we are properly immersed in the world of the desert planet Arrakis, the four letters of the title appear in the picture. They are not alone: they are accompanied by the addition, which cannot be overlooked, that this is only the first part of a larger story.
Dune introduces us to a large world with many different characters and parties. There are power struggles, intrigues and love stories. The comparisons with Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings don’t come from anywhere. It is now certain that the story will be continued: Here you can find all the important information about Dune 2.
When will Dune 2 be released in theaters?
Dune 2 will be released in cinemas on March 14, 2024. Originally, the film was supposed to be released in November 2023. Due to the strike of the screenwriters and actors in Hollywood, the theatrical release was postponed.
Here you can watch the first trailer for Dune 2:
How does Denis Villeneuve’s first Dune movie end?
From the beginning it was clear that Denis Villeneuve would not film the complete book with Dune. Several times the director emphasized that Frank Herbert’s science fiction classic is too complex to squeeze into two hours of cinema. Dune: Part 1 ends in the desert of Arrakis, where Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), join the native Fremen.
Here you can watch the second trailer for Dune 2:
How does the story of Dune continue in Part 2?
The Harkonnen have seized Arrakeen, the largest city on the planet, and almost completely wiped out House Atreides. The second half of Herbert’s novel deals with Paul learning about the Fremen world and standing with them against the oppressors. Villeneuve already confirmed that Chani, portrayed by Zendaya, will have a much larger role in the sequel.
How far along is production on Dune 2?
Thanks to convincing numbers at the box office and on streaming service HBO Max, Dune 2 has been given the green light. Filming started in July 2022, with the script written by Jon Spaihts and director Denis Villeneuve. The sequel is expected to focus more on the Harkonnen, picking up on an important part from the original that was only scratched before.
The fact that Dune 2 was given the green light was anything but a foregone conclusion: the Dune franchise faced major challenges, although a spin-off, Dune: The Sisterhood, was already in the works before the second part. Worldwide, the first Dune film was able to bring in $400 million on a budget of $165 million. This box office result is strengthened by the HBO Max figures.
Who’s in the cast of Dune 2?
A number of familiar characters return in Dune 2.
- Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides
- Zendaya as Chani
- Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica
- Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Harkonnen
- Javier Bardem as Stilgar
- Dave Bautista as Glossu Rabban
- Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck
- Stephen McKinley Henderson as Thufir Hawat
- Charlotte Rampling as Gaius Helen Mohiam
Three new cast members have also been confirmed.
- Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan
- Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen
- Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV.
- Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot
- Tim Blake Nelson
In Dune 2, the Emperor makes his first appearance, after only being mentioned by name in the first part. He is the big string-puller in the background and thus also the one who initiated the downfall of House Atreides.
How many more Dune books can be made into movies?
If Dune and Dune 2 are successful, we could see the birth of a huge franchise. In addition to the spin-off series and sequel, Villeneuve has already expressed interest in imagining a third installment based on Dune Messiah, Herbert’s second Dune novel. In total, the saga of the U.S. writer comprises six volumes.
- Dune (1965)
- Dune Messiah (1969)
- Children of Dune (1976)
- God Emperor of Dune (1981)
- Heretics of Dune (1984)
- Chapterhouse: Dune (1985)
Later, the series was continued by his son, Brian Herbert, and Kevin J. Anderson with various prequel and sequel series.
- Prelude to Dune (three volumes, 1999-2001),
- Legends of Dune (three volumes, 2002-2004),
- Heroes of Dune (two volumes, 2008-2009),
- Great Schools of Dune (three volumes, 2012-2016).
- The Caladan Trilogy (three volumes, 2020-2022)
Hunters of Dune (2006) and Sandworms of Dune (2007) are two books that directly follow Chapterhouse: Dune. So there is still a lot of material that can be used in future Dune movies and series.
