Denis Villeneuve clarifies "Dune 3" plans: Not a trilogy, may be his last

Denis Villeneuve, director of the critically acclaimed "Dune" films, recently clarified his vision for the third installment, "Dune: Messiah." In an interview on Vanity Fair's "Little Gold Men" podcast, Villeneuve emphasized that "Dune: Messiah" will not be a trilogy conclusion, but rather a standalone film with its own distinct identity.

While "Dune: Part Two" adapted the second half of Frank Herbert's first novel, "Dune: Messiah" is based on the second book in the series, set 12 years later. This time jump will likely require aging up the young cast, including Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, a challenge Villeneuve is confident he can tackle.   

Villeneuve reiterated his long-standing desire to conclude his involvement with the Dune franchise after "Messiah." He's expressed openness to other directors taking the reins for future adaptations, acknowledging the increasing complexity and esoteric nature of the later books.

Zendaya, who plays Chani, has voiced her enthusiasm for continuing the franchise under Villeneuve's direction. However, the future of the "Dune" films beyond "Messiah" remains uncertain, particularly without Villeneuve's involvement.

Both "Dune" and "Dune: Part Two" are currently available for streaming on Max. Fans can stay tuned for further updates on the development of "Dune: Messiah" and the potential future of the franchise.