'Dune: Part Two': Everything to Know

From the expected release date to the all-star cast, here's everything to know about the Dune sequel

Prepare to re-enter the world of Dune.

Shortly after the first Dune premiered in October 2021, production company Legendary confirmed that a sequel was already in the works. "This is only the beginning...Thank you to those who have experienced @dunemovie so far, and those who are going in the days and weeks ahead," Legendary posted on Twitter, adding, "We're excited to continue the journey!"

Like the first film, Dune: Part Two is an adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel of the same name, covering roughly the second half of the book. All-star cast members including lead character Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin will return in the sequel, alongside new faces like Austin Butler, Christopher Walken and Florence Pugh.

"Florence is really special," Chalamet told Variety of his new costar Pugh, whom he previously worked with on 2019's Little Women. "She's an incredible actor. She was incredible in Dune — seriously incredible. She brought a gravitas to the role."

Filming for Dune: Part Two wrapped in December 2022, but the release of the highly-anticipated movie was delayed until 2024 due to the strikes in Hollywood.

At CinemaCon 2023 in April, it was revealed that Part Two was shot entirely in IMAX.

From the official synopsis to the scheduled release date, here is everything to know about Dune: Part Two.

What is Dune: Part Two about?

Dune: Part Two picks up right where the first Dune film left off and is based on roughly the second half of Herbert's science fiction novel. According to the film's official synopsis, Dune: Part Two "will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides [Chalamet] as he unites with Chani [Zendaya] and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee."

In February 2024, director Denis Villeneuve told Polygon that the sequel would be "much more of an action movie."

"It allowed me — because the story is, in a way, more simple — to go deeper, and explore more, and the Fremen culture, and the Harkonnen culture," he said.

Prior to filming, Bardem, who plays Stilgar, told audience members at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival that the sequel will "surprise people" — clarifying that fans will "be surprised by the way they put it together."

Zendaya is also expected to play a larger role in Dune: Part Two. Fans were previously disappointed by the star's limited screen time in the first film — her character, Chani, only appeared for about seven minutes total despite Dune's 2-hour-and-35-minute run time — but Villeneuve promised to "develop some characters" in the second installment.

"There are some characters that are less developed that I'm keeping for the second film — that's the way I found the equilibrium," Villeneuve told the Los Angeles Times in 2021. "We tried in [Dune: Part One] to stay as close as possible to Paul's experience. Then, in the second one, I will have time to develop some characters that were left aside a little bit. That's the theory. I hope it will work."

Who is in the cast of Dune: Part Two?

Many A-list actors are set to reprise their roles in Dune: Part Two. The cast includes Chalamet, Zendaya, Brolin, Bardem, Dave Bautista, Rebecca Ferguson, Stellan Skarsgård and Charlotte Rampling.

New cast members include Pugh as Princess Irulan; Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV; and Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, a member of the family that killed Paul's father in the first installment. Léa Seydoux will also appear in the highly-anticipated sequel as Lady Margot.

Is there a trailer for Dune: Part Two?

Warner Bros. released the first official trailer for Dune: Part 2 on May 3, 2023. The clip begins with Paul (Chalamet) sitting with Chani (Zendaya) in front of a sandy landscape. "It's breathtaking," he says. "When you see sand here, imagine water. If you dive in, you can't reach the bottom."

The trailer offers a glimpse into action-packed scenes and gives a first look at Pugh as Princess Irulan and Butler as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen.

Two months later, the second official trailer dropped. The nearly three-minute teaser opens with Paul trying to convince Chani and the Fremen to join him in fighting the Harkonnens. The clip then cuts to the reunion between Paul and Gurney Halleck, played by Brolin. Finally, viewers see the galaxy's emperor, depicted by Walken, call upon Butler's Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen to kill Paul before he and the Fremen reclaim Arrakis.

Who directed Dune: Part Two?

Denis Villeneuve directed and wrote Dune: Part Two. He also wrote and directed the 2021 adaption.

During an appearance at CinemaCon 2023, Villeneuve shared that Part Two will pick up "just where we left" Chalamet and Ferguson's characters as Paul and his mother, Jessica, join the Fremen at the conclusion of the first film.

After filming for Dune: Part One wrapped, Zendaya spoke about her experience working with Villeneuve to Empire. "He's so kind and attentive to all of his actors," Zendaya said of the director, adding, "Denis understands what he wants from us but he's also very collaborative, allowing me to have my take on the character as well. I don't want to jinx anything but I can't wait to explore her more. I hope I get to learn more from Denis. I love to learn from people who are great at their job."

Zendaya isn't the only one who has positive things to say about Villeneuve. While promoting Dune: Part Two, Chalamet spoke with the Associated Press about his experience working with the director.

“Denis is so playful," he said. "It’s like the greatest evidence of self-confidence to me. It’s ultimately a playful, creative exercise to get to direct any movie. The man who takes himself too seriously, is more focused on the people around him, the audience, than the actual product reeks of a movie that’s pretentious.”

Other directorial credits for the Canadian filmmaker include Prisoners (2013), Arrival (2016) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017).

Where was Dune: Part Two filmed?

According to Collider, the cast returned to Budapest, Abu Dhabi and Jordan to film the sequel. Parts of the upcoming movie were also filmed in Italy, marking a new location for Dune.

Filming for Dune: Part Two wrapped in December 2022 and actor Brolin celebrated the feat on Instagram. "Dune did it," he wrote alongside a mirror selfie.

When will Dune: Part Two be released?

Dune: Part Two is slated to premiere on March 1, 2024.

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