Fans should brace themselves, because according to cinematographer Greig Fraser, Dune: Part 2 has an even bigger story than the first film. Things are looking pretty good for Denis Villeneuve's budding sci-fi franchise right now. At Sunday night's Oscars ceremony, Dune came away with 6 technical awards after Villeneuve himself was snubbed for a best director nomination. Nevertheless, the acclaimed director is charging forward with the sequel, with prep work actually beginning today, March 28. Splitting Frank Herbert's iconic novel into two parts was always the plan, and Dune: Part 2 was officially greenlit mere days after the first movie premiered.
Dune: Part 2 is currently slated for release in October 2023 and is expected to see the returns of much of the core cast from the first film, including Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides and Zendaya as Chani (Villeneuve has specifically said Zendaya will have a bigger role in Dune 2). As for new additions, Florence Pugh and Austin Butler are reportedly both in talks to play Princess Irulan and Feyd-Rautha, respectively. Based on where the first movie left off, it looks like Dune: Part 2 will pick up with Paul and his mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) as they enter the Fremen society and begin to learn the ways of Arrakis' natives.
Anticipation is already high for Dune 2, and it so far sounds like that excitement isn't misplaced. Speaking backstage at the Oscars after winning the award for best cinematography (via EW), Fraser teased what's coming for the sequel. Naturally, he didn't give away any spoilers, but he did share his reaction to reading the script, as well as his early meetings with Villeneuve and the other creative heads. Fraser said:
"I've been trained by the house of the mouse at Lucasfilm not to give you any scoops. But I can tell you that this is a bigger story. I've read the script, and I'm more blown away by this script than I was by Part One. I'm more excited.
"I was sitting in a meeting with Denis and [production designer] Patrice [Vermette] and Paul [Lambert] the other day at Denis' house talking about this film, and I turned to Denis and said I can't believe these people pay us to do this. This is ridiculous. They pay us to make these movies which are so exciting and so amazing. I can tell you it's bigger and better."
With Dune, Villeneuve seemingly pulled off the impossible by adapting a notoriously difficult novel for the big screen. The film is a technical marvel, yet got some criticism for its incomplete story; even though many went into Dune knowing it would be only the first part of Herbert's novel, that wasn't enough to stop complaints that it wasn't an entirely satisfying journey. Luckily, Dune: Part 2 can rectify that in a major way. Villeneuve has already promised the sequel will hold more action, and now that Paul has joined the Fremen, the story can progress into the meatier parts of his conflict with House Harkonnen.
In fact, it wouldn't be surprising if in two years, Dune: Part 2 is celebrating the same kind of awards love that its predecessor is right now. Maybe then Villeneuve will be rewarded for his work as well. Though Dune: Part 2 should bring Herbert's first book to a close, there have been many indications that there will be additional films to follow. Co-screenwriter Jon Spaihts has said Dune 2 could set up a trilogy for Villeneuve, with a third film drawing from the book Dune Messiah. Fans will have to wait and see if that ever comes to pass, but they can definitely start getting excited about the 2023 sequel now.
Source: EW
