Dune writer Jon Spaihts is making it his business to know Frank Herbert’s universe inside and out. In addition to penning Dune: Part Two, he is also working on the Dune television spinoff Dune: The Sisterhood, which will focus on the Bene Gesserit, a religious and magical order of “witches” within the Dune canon. While speaking with The Playlist, Spaihts confirmed that a third Dune film could happen.
“There are a few tantalizing strands that lead into the future and suggest that we might not be done in this universe, despite the fact that the ending of ‘Dune’ as a novel, which will be the ending of the second film, is a very satisfying conclusion,” Spaihts told The Playlist. “There are a number of ways in which the book also sounds ominous notes, and there are hints of foreboding about what made be yet to come.”
Spaihts is currently hard at work while writing Dune: Part Two with Denis Villeneuve. While the director only planned to shoot two films, Herbert’s Dune Messiah could be the subject of a third film.
“Dune Messiah is the next book, and it’s one of three books with ‘Dune,’ ‘Dune Messiah,’ and ‘Children of Dune,’ that covers the lives of the characters we meet in the first novel. Subsequently, there’s a giant leap in time and the series gets stranger and more epic as it carries on. But ‘Dune Messiah’ picks up years after the close of ‘Dune,’ and yes, Denis has talked seriously about making that film as well, as a conclusion of the trilogy”
Casting for major characters in Dune: Part Two is currently underway. Earlier this week, it was announced that Florence Pugh (Midsommar, Black Widow) is in talks to play Princess Irulan, the daughter of the Emperor. Then, word got out that Austin Butler (Elvis, The Shannara Chronicles) is up for the villainous role of Feyd-Rautha. Of course, the part of Emperor Shaddam IV has yet to be filled, though we suspect it will be soon.
What do you think about Frank Herbert’s Dune universe possibly being extended to include Dune Messiah? Are you excited for Dune: The Sisterhood to cast a spell on HBO Max? Let us know what you think about all of this Dune business in the comments section below.