With Dune: Messiah already in active development, Denis Villeneuve sets his sights on adapting the second chapter of Frank Herbert’s legendary saga. Following the explosive events of Dune: Part Two, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) now reigns as Emperor, worshipped as a messiah by the Fremen. But peace is a mirage, and new enemies rise both from within and beyond the stars.

Rumors swirl about Zendaya taking on a far more central role as Chani, torn between love and fear for what Paul is becoming. Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, and Léa Seydoux are all expected to return in expanded capacities, with new key roles still under wraps. With the tone shifting toward political tension, spiritual doubt, and inevitable betrayal, this next chapter promises something darker and more philosophical than ever before.

Villeneuve has described Messiah as a “tragic fall”, potentially closing his Dune trilogy with a haunting, reflective ending. If Part Two was about destiny, Messiah is about the cost of fulfilling it.