The sequel to Denis Villeneuve‘s long-awaited epic sci-fi film Dune has wrapped filming, as per an Instagram post from the film’s lead star, Timothee Chalamet.
The 26-year-old actor posted a selfie on Instagram of himself and his dad, Marc Chalamet, celebrating the end of filming. The second film in a two-part adaptation of the 1965 novel Dune by Frank Herbert will explore the events of the second half of the book, and will see several cast members from the first film return, such as:
- Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides, the Duke of House Atreides
- Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica, Paul’s Bene Gesserit mother
- Zendaya as Chani, a young Fremen woman
- Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Paul’s mentor
- Stellan Skarsgard as Baron Vladmir Harkonnen, Duke Leto’s sworn enemy
- Javier Bardem as Stilgar, the leader of the Fremen tribe at Sietch Tabr
In addition to this, new actors joining the ensemble cast include:
- Christopher Walken as Shaddam IV, the Emperor of House Corrino
- Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, the Emperor’s daughter
- Austin Butler as Feyd-Rautha, Baron Harkonnen’s younger nephew
- Lea Seydoux as Lady Margot, a Bene Gesserit and close friend of the Emperor
Denis Villeneuve will also return to direct the film, and Hans Zimmer will compose the film’s score. The first film was well received by critics and audiences and became a commercial hit, grossing $401 million worldwide on a production budget of $165 million. The movie was also nominated for 10 awards at the 94th Academy Awards, winning six (the most awards in the ceremony), namely: Best Sound, Best Original Score, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects, and Best Cinematography.
Back in June 2019, Legendary Pictures announced its plans for a spinoff prequel series titled Dune: The Sisterhood, for HBO Max. Set 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides, the series will follow two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect known as the Bene Gesserit.
Denis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts will serve as the executive producers of the show, while Alison Schapker will serve as the showrunner. The cast of the series includes Emily Watson, Shirley Henderson, Indira Varma, Mark Strong, and Travis Fimmel.
Villeneuve has also expressed interest in making a third film based on Dune Messiah, but this is dependent on the success of the second film. Dune: Part Two is scheduled for release on November 3, 2023.
Speaking of, Legendary Entertainment has recently signed a new distribution deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment. Future Dune films might be distributed by Sony instead of Warner Bros.
