Next ‘Dune’ Movie Finally Gets Its Title

Denis Villeneuve’s next “Dune” movie finally has its official title: “Dune: Part Three.” While some reports suggested it might be called “Dune Messiah,” after the 1969 book by Frank Herbert, the film is listed as “Dune: Part Three” on Rentrak. The story will follow Paul “Muad’Dib” Atreides as he takes his place as emperor.

The movie will include scenes shot with IMAX cameras, but it won’t be filmed entirely with them. This differs from Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” which is the only film so far to be shot completely with IMAX cameras.

There was some confusion about this after Imax CEO Richard Gelfond gave an interview on CNBC. He seemed to suggest that “Dune: Part Three” would be filmed fully with IMAX cameras, but it turns out he misspoke.

When asked about Villeneuve directing the new James Bond reboot for Amazon MGM Studios, Gelfond also mentioned the “Dune” movie. “From a personal point of view, I was really happy. I like him. I think he’s a genius filmmaker,” Gelfond said. “He’s so creative. He’s making the next ‘Dune’ — with IMAX cameras, he’s filming the whole thing. So we haven’t started talking yet, but I’m praying that that’s the case with Bond.”

Legendary Entertainment, which is producing the film, has not commented on this. Gelfond also spoke about how popular IMAX screenings have been lately, pointing out that movies like “F1” and “Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning” earned a big part of their box office from IMAX theaters. “Think of 20% of the box office, when we’re less than 1% of the screens. The public is really demanding it,” he added.

Filming for “Dune: Part Three” is set to start soon. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya will be back, and Jason Momoa has confirmed he’ll return too. He was in the first “Dune” but not in the second.

Villeneuve has said that he sees the first two “Dune” movies as a diptych — a pair of films that adapt the first book. “If I do a third one, which is in the writing process, it’s not like a trilogy. It’s strange to say that, but if I go back there, it’s to do something that feels different and has its own identity,” he told reporters last year.

In another interview with Variety, Bruce Markoe, senior vice president and head of post-production at IMAX, explained what it means for a movie to be “shot with IMAX.” He said there’s a difference between movies filmed with IMAX’s film cameras and those “Filmed for IMAX” with digital cameras.

The ones shot on film get special attention and close collaboration with filmmakers because it involves IMAX’s actual camera equipment. Digital movies, while still certified for IMAX, don’t have the same unique process.

“Dune: Part Three” is expected to hit theaters in December 2026.

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