Dune 3 Trailer Hints at Major Shifts from Dune Messiah

The eagerly awaited conclusion of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune film trilogy has dropped another trailer, teasing some intriguing departures from the original novels.

In the latest glimpse of Dune: Part Three, we see that a significant amount of time has passed since the last film, with Paul now reigning as the Padishah Emperor. He’s been busy “conquering the galaxy” and “destroying thousands of worlds,” as noted by Jason Momoa’s Duncan Idaho.

Princess Irulan, played by Florence Pugh, teams up with a new character portrayed by Robert Pattinson, who seems to be channeling a bit of Roy Batty, to plot a “regime change” against Paul. “I found someone,” Pattinson’s character reveals, cutting to Zendaya as Chani, hinting at her crucial role in this coup attempt. And of course, there are epic battles and sandworms, because it’s a Dune film!

For those familiar with the book Dune Messiah, the trailer indicates that the film will diverge from the source material in several significant ways. Notably, the movie is being promoted as the “epic conclusion” to this storyline, while the book Dune Messiah isn’t the final chapter; Frank Herbert continued the saga with four additional novels. Unless the film adapts both Dune Messiah and Children of Dune, it won’t be able to fully conclude Paul’s journey without some alterations.

Another change, likely for the better, is Chani’s expanded role in the narrative. Dune: Part Two introduced a notable rift between Paul and Chani due to his political marriage with Princess Irulan, a conflict not present in the original novel. It appears that Part Three will explore this dynamic further, with Chani potentially playing a key part in the plot against Paul.

The trailer’s description also hints at another difference: Dune: Part Three is set “nearly two decades” after the previous film, while the book takes place 12 years later. More significantly, the trailer showcases wars and conflicts during this time that the novel only references, suggesting we’ll see much more of Paul’s Holy War.

Villeneuve and co-screenwriter Brian K. Vaughan have a challenging task ahead. They need to craft a story that resonates with moviegoers while respecting the devoted fans who hold the source material in high regard. It may be tough to satisfy both sides, but if a choice must be made, hopefully, they’ll lean towards creating a compelling film: it’s better to be an engaging movie than a “perfect” adaptation.

Dune: Part Three hits theaters on December 18, coinciding with the release of another major film.

Jason Momoa’s return in Dune 3 ties into a plot that connects all of Frank Herbert’s works.