You’re either a fan of Frank Herbert’s Dune novels or you aren’t. And you’re either a fan of the adaptations or you don’t think they match Herbert’s vision. Whichever you are, the final chapter of Denis Villeneuve’s take, Dune Part Three, is on its way. The second trailer is here, and it looks a lot like the trailers to Villeneuve’s first two entries. Once you’ve seen a film by Denis Villeneuve, you can spot his work instantly. Somehow the reserved, slow, plodding storytelling style worked for his spin on Philip K. Dick’s characters in Blade Runner 2049, and it helped each of the first two Dune entries have their moments.
Villeneuve’s first Dune movie (reviewed here at borg) felt like George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road, but Villeneuve for the most part pushed aside sprawling action and explosions for a faithful interpretation of Frank Herbert’s novel. But Dune Part Two (reviewed here) was a disappointment, an excruciatingly long, slow, boring movie with uninspired sets, costumes, and cinematography that seemed like an homage to Zach Snyder’s 300, including the jarring black and white sequences found in adaptations of Frank Miller works. Jason Momoa and Florence Pugh have provided the most compelling elements of this very stark adaptation. You really must have read the books to follow the drama and understand the characters and factions. Villeneuve could serve his audience better–especially the audience who hasn’t read the books–by explaining more of what’s going on. Even if you’ve read the books you may struggle to connect the threads.
See what you think of this new trailer for Dune Part Three:
And in case you missed it, the first trailer…
All the key players are back: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Isaach De Bankolé, Anya Taylor-Joy, Robert Pattinson, and Javier Bardem, and newcomers Nakoa-Wolf Momoa and Ida Brooke.
Dune Part Three arrives in theaters December 18, 2026.
C.J. Bunce / Editor / borg
