Director Denis Villeneuve has officially started filming Dune: Part Two.
Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures have shared a behind-the-scenes image of the clapperboard used to mark the start of filming for Dune: Part Two. The upcoming sequel to 2021's Dune will explore the mythic journey of Timothée Chalamet's Paul Atreides as he unites with Zendaya's Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Paul will have to choose between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe as he attempts to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee. Dune: Part Two is currently filming in Budapest with additional shooting to take place in Abu Dhabi, Jordan and Italy.
Villeneuve returns to direct Dune: Part Two after helming the first installment. The Oscar-nominated director also co-wrote the sequel's screenplay with Jon Spaihts, which is based on the second half of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel. Villeneuve will also serve as producer alongside Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Tanya Lapointe and Patrick McCormick.
Dune: Part Two Boasts an Impressive Ensemble Cast
Chalamet and Zendaya are not the only actors returning to the world of Arrakis after the critical and box office success of the first Dune film. Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling and Stephen McKinley Henderson will also be reprising their respective roles from Dune as Lady Jessica, Stilgar, Gurney Halleck, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, Beast Rabban Harkonnen, Reverend Mother Mohiam and Thufir Hawat. Joining the returning cast are Austin Butler as the notorious Feyd Rautha, Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot and Souheila Yacoub as Shishakli.
The first Dune film was released in theaters and on HBO Max on Oct. 22, 2021. Despite the simultaneous release strategy, Dune became a box office success and grossed over $400 million worldwide. The film was also well-received by critics and currently holds an 83 percent on the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes. The film was a major critics darling, receiving ten Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. Although Dune didn't take home the title honor, the film still managed to snag six awards -- the most of any title at the ceremony. Those awards were Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing and Best Visual Effects.
Dune: Part Two is scheduled to open in theaters on Nov. 17, 2023.
Source: Warner Bros.