Acclaimed Dune franchise director Denis Villeneuve has shared some important insights about the new Dune: Messiah. According to him, two important characters Princess Irulan and Alia Atreides are to take up key roles, besides Chani, whose character has already received significant attention as central in Dune: Part Two. Villeneuve’s comment comes just when this epic saga, by David Lynch, is all geared up for its future parts.
Key Characters Set to Take Center Stage
Florence Pugh. Image Credit; Warner bros. Pictures
According to Denis Villeneuve, Princess Irulan and Alia Atreides played by Florence Pugh and Anya Taylor-Joy, respectively play an important part in Dune: Messiah. However, interestingly, both will receive story equity that is close to what Zendaya’s Chani will have in the next film. Thus, more current will be added to the story and new dynamics will take the future shape of the Dune universe.
On Vanity Fair’s podcast Little Gold Men, Villeneuve said that the key female players would be intentional. He said that Princess Irulan and Alia would “mirror” Chani’s role in the first film and that will play a shift in the space in the story. He seems to want to add depth to the movie by placing the women in power and influence levels.
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Villeneuve stated that he will direct only Dune: Messiah, which means the story will conclude with Dune: Part Two. He has, however, mentioned that there is a clear plan for the film in the future. According to him, a script for the movie is already underway. He also wants to take it through the complete 12-year time jump in the story. His focus is to create a base that would make it easy for another filmmaker to continue the saga of Dune.
In the interview, Villeneuve said, “First of all, it’s important for people to understand that for me it was really a diptych… adaptations of the first book… If I do a third one… it won’t be like a trilogy… it’s to do something that feels different and has its own identity.” It shows how dedicated Villeneuve is to a standalone conclusion to his phase with the series, while at the same time mentioning the inherent specifics of the Dune films.
Future of the Dune Franchise
Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya in Dune: Part Two. Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
While Dune: Messiah would conclude Villeneuve’s work behind the camera, it doesn’t necessarily spell doom for the show. He said how other people will take over the director’s seat to explore more mystical and complicated stories afterward. This is how Villeneuve added while saying, “I think that it would be a good idea for me to make sure that, in Messiah, there are the seeds in the project if someone wants to do something else afterwards… I will not do it myself, but it could happen with someone else.“
This openness to other creators stepping in speaks to the vast potential of the Dune universe. While future installments would come with their own challenges in terms of adaptation, Villeneuve has laid the groundwork for the franchise to continue evolving beyond his involvement.
Reports from The Hollywood Reporter indicate that Warner Bros. has set Villeneuve’s next film for a theatrical release on December 18, 2026. Unspecified which of his projects this might be, it is being considered a “big event film,” and many are speculating it will be Dune: Messiah, the sequel to Villeneuve’s Dune. As always, Legendary Entertainment will be undertaking the production in order for the prestige and scope of the Dune franchise to be maintained.
As fans eagerly wait for the next installment, Villeneuve makes sure that the fantastic saga unfolds in ways that never let loose the captive audience while simultaneously creating space for fresh voices.
