Legendary CEO Offers DUNE: MESSIAH Status Update - "I don't See Why Not"
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two is a big hit with audiences and fans! Reviews are strong and the movie is making money. With the way the movie ended, it certainly seemed like the filmmaker was confident that he was going to get to make Dune: Messiah.
Legendary Entertainment CEO Josh Grode has now weighed in on the possibility of a third film and says the studio is prepared to move forward on the next Dune movie once Villeneuve cracks the script. He told CNBC:
“I think this is a movie where you know the word of mouth is going to carry it. It is a stupendous piece of filmmaking. There’s no other way to say it. I’ve just about run out of adjectives. We have to have all creative stakeholders aligned and support the vision. I think everybody is very excited and really enjoying this moment and if Denis [Villeneuve] gets the script right and he feels that he can deliver another experience on par with what we’ve just completed then I don’t see why not.”
The filmmaker has said that he’s almost done with the script for the sequel, but he’s not going to jump in and make it anytime soon. Villeneuve wants to make a different kind of film next and take a break from Dune, which makes sense.
He said Dune: Messiah is “being written right now. The screenplay is almost finished but it is not finished. It will take a little time…There’s a dream of making a third movie…it. I don’t know exactly when I will go back to Arrakis. I might make a detour before just to go away from the sun. For my mental sanity I might do something in between, but my dream would be to go a last time on this planet that I love.”
The filmmaker Previously discussed his plans for a third movie, saying, "There is Dune’s second book, The Messiah of Dune, which could make an extraordinary film. I always saw that there could be a trilogy; after that, we’ll see. It’s years of work; I can’t think of going further than that."
So, chances are we will see Dune: Messiah get made, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon.