'Dune: Part Three' official title revealed, Imax filming confirmed for Denis Villeneuve's next epic
The title of Denis Villeneuve’s next cinematic journey to Arrakis has been officially confirmed. The third installment in the acclaimed science fiction saga will be released under the name Dune: Part Three, as officially listed on Rentrak. Earlier references had labeled the film Dune Messiah, a direct allusion to Frank Herbert’s 1969 novel which forms the narrative foundation for this chapter, charting Paul Atreides’ ascent as emperor.
Timothée Chalamet and Josh Brolin in 'Dune: Part Two.'
Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros.
The production will incorporate sequences filmed using Imax cameras, though it will not adopt the format exclusively across the entire shoot. This aligns it more closely with previous blockbusters utilizing selective Imax scenes, differing from Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which remains the only feature to date shot entirely with Imax technology.
Speculation had been stirred by recent comments from Imax CEO Richard Gelfond, who implied during a CNBC interview that Villeneuve's entire film might employ Imax cameras. However, that claim has since been clarified, and the notion of a full-Imax shoot appears to have been an overstatement.
Gelfond, discussing Villeneuve's expanding influence in the industry, also referenced the director’s upcoming role with Amazon MGM Studios on their James Bond reboot. The CEO noted that Villeneuve would first complete his work on Dune: Part Three for Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment prior to engaging with the 007 franchise.
Speaking on Villeneuve’s cinematic prowess, Gelfond described him as a visionary filmmaker, expressing personal admiration. He remarked, “He’s so creative. He’s making the next ‘Dune’ — with Imax cameras, he’s filming the whole thing.” Though this statement hinted at an all-Imax production, it was later revealed that Gelfond had likely mischaracterized the scope.
When approached for verification regarding filming specifics, Legendary Entertainment did not issue a response.
Throughout the interview, Gelfond emphasized the growing market share of Imax within theatrical distribution. He highlighted summer successes such as F1, which garnered 23% of its opening weekend revenue from Imax screenings, and Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, which earned 20% of its debut box office from Imax venues over its initial two weeks.
Gelfond elaborated, “Think of 20% of the box office, when we’re less than 1% of the screens. The public is really demanding it,” underscoring the disproportionate draw Imax presentations continue to have with audiences.
Principal photography on Dune: Part Three is set to begin imminently. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya are confirmed to return to their roles, reprising their characters in the ongoing saga. Jason Momoa will also return for the third chapter, marking his reappearance after his absence in Part Two, having featured prominently in the original Dune film.
Villeneuve has previously clarified his vision for the trilogy’s structure. He noted that Dune and Dune: Part Two were conceived as a unified adaptation of Herbert’s first novel. “It was really a diptych,” the director stated, emphasizing that the initial two films form a single artistic unit. Regarding the upcoming installment, he explained that its identity would diverge significantly from the previous entries, describing it as a project distinct in tone and scope.
Industry insiders continue to dissect what it means for a film to be shot using Imax equipment. Bruce Markoe, senior vice president and head of post-production at Imax, addressed the topic in a recent Variety interview. He distinguished between films shot directly with Imax film cameras and those categorized as “Filmed for Imax,” which utilize certified digital cameras instead.
Markoe explained, “Those movies that were shot with our film cameras receive that kind of nomenclature. Those are different than the ‘Filmed for Imax’ movies, which are all shot with digital cameras.” He added that the filmmaking process remains closely collaborative in both scenarios, especially when Imax's proprietary film cameras are on set. Productions opting for the digital certification still undergo rigorous testing and maintain continuous dialogue with Imax throughout development.
Warner Bros. and Legendary are targeting a December 2026 theatrical release for Dune: Part Three, continuing the adaptation of Herbert’s epic universe with Villeneuve once again at the helm.
