Dune: Part Three might not have been confirmed when Denis Villeneuve was writing and filming the earlier installments, however the director clearly left some vital doorways open in his screenplay that may hopefully be resolved within the upcoming sequel. Dune 3 will see many fan-favorite characters return whereas weaving a brand new narrative of secrecy and deception to push the franchise into the longer term.
It is going to loosely observe the story of Dune Messiah, which takes place twelve years after the conclusion of the primary novel and follows a bunch of political opponents who conspire to have Paul Atreides faraway from the Imperial throne. It’s broadly thought to be Frank Herbert’s most controversial guide, however a number of traces in Dune: Half Two trace that Villeneuve isn’t shying away from the story.
“He Will Deliver Again The Timber. He Will Deliver Again A Inexperienced Paradise.”
One of the crucial vital points of the Dune novels that’s solely briefly touched upon in Villeneuve’s motion pictures is the Fremen’s want for a whole ecological reform of Arrakis. The planet’s lack of water and brutal sandstorms make life very tough for the native folks, and one of many key tenets of Lisan al-Gaib’s prophecy is that he’ll revert the planet to its “inexperienced paradise.”
Stilgar is among the many first Fremen leaders to vouch for Paul because the Voice from the Outer World, and it’s his want to see Arrakis introduced again to life that motivates him. This specific subplot doesn’t actually come into play till Youngsters of Dune, however there have already been a number of theories that Villeneuve is planning to fold certain Children of Dune storylines into Part Three.
This implies audiences might even see the ecological terraforming of Arrakis a lot sooner than anticipated, permitting Stilgar’s line in Dune 2 to lastly repay. This was even teased throughout Paul’s imaginative and prescient after consuming the Water of Life, the place he noticed waves crashing in opposition to the dunes. This scene may even seem in Dune 3, proving that the planet’s transformation is already underway, and Paul’s imaginative and prescient was correct.
“You Ought to Have Believed. You Selected The Flawed Aspect.”
Though Jessica is initially launched as a prepared and succesful member of the Bene Gesserit, permitting her solely youngster to undergo the doubtless deadly Gom Jabbar take a look at to show her loyalty, she doesn’t stay such a faithful member of the sisterhood for lengthy. Paul’s ascension to the throne primarily places her at odds with the Bene Gesserit, and she or he chooses Home Atreides.
Jessica’s interplay with Reverend Mom Gaius Helen Mohiam on the end of Dune: Part 2 units up this battle very nicely, utilizing only one line to decisively show that Jessica has strayed from the Bene Gesserit’s path. By disobeying the sisterhood’s needs and permitting Paul to ascend to the Lion Throne, she has positioned her whole household into the Bene Gesserit’s line of fireplace.
“My Dearest Brother; You are Not Ready For What Is To Come.”
Though Alia is absent from most of Dune 2, the character makes a quick look throughout Paul’s imaginative and prescient after consuming the Water of Life. She’s some of the vital figures in Herbert’s novels, not simply due to her standing as a member of Home Atreides, however as a result of she’s a pre-born Reverend Mom. This implies she shares Jessica’s collective consciousness of all of the Reverend Moms to precede her.
Her omniscience is clearly at play right here, as she manages to warn her brother about “what’s to return.” This in all probability refers to his resolution to simply accept the title of Lisan-al-Gaib, and in doing so, launch a Holy Conflict in opposition to the Nice Homes. Dune Messiah reckons closely with how justified Paul was on this resolution, so it’s attention-grabbing to see Villeneuve sow the seeds of that subplot.
“Abomination.”
Spoken by Gaius Helen Mohiam throughout Paul’s face-off with the Emperor, using the phrase “abomination” clearly references the Bene Gesserit’s rising distaste for Paul – and later, his sister and kids. This can be a main subplot in Dune Messiah, as the Bene Gesserit conspires with different events to dethrone Paul on the grounds of his prescience turning him into the prophesied “Abomination” of Bene Gesserit mythology.
Paul’s visions and foresight evolve throughout Dune 2, with the Water of Life granting him talents that different spice-sensitive folks couldn’t even dream of. Regardless of seemingly being in favor of the arrival of the Kwisatz Haderach, the Bene Gesserit quickly understand that Jessica’s son has develop into extra highly effective than even they will management, main them to denounce him in Messiah.
“I am No Messiah. I am A Fedaykin Of Sietch Tabr.”
Paul’s inside tug-of-war between accepting his title of Lisan al-Gaib and remaining an equal, loyal member of the Fremen is the driving power of Dune 2, and it has numerous unintended penalties for the protagonist all through the remainder of the franchise. By leaning closely into Paul’s want to reject his messianic title by way of this line, Villeneuve highlights simply how tragic his character arc is.
Dune 2 already hints on the atrocities that may finally be dedicated in Paul’s title, but it surely’s not till Half Three that audiences will see precisely how a lot evil is carried out as a direct consequence of going south and accepting the Lisan al-Gaib title. This line emphasizes that Paul didn’t need this, however finally selected it anyway.
“The Holy Conflict Begins.”
There’s so much occurring in Dune Messiah, from backstage politics to complicated love triangles, however every part that occurs is finally triggered by Paul’s resolution to launch a Holy Conflict in opposition to the Nice Homes and ascend to the throne. Though Dune Messiah incorporates a sizable time leap that primarily skips over the battle itself, the direct aftermath of the Holy Conflict could be very tangible within the guide.
By proclaiming that the “Holy Conflict begins” in Dune 2’s ending, the Reverend Mom is actually confirming that Paul’s darkish imaginative and prescient for the longer term has come true, and his conquest of the galaxy has develop into a actuality. This can be a very darkish path for the Dune franchise to take, and a notoriously controversial one, but it surely proves that Villeneuve is sticking true to the spirit of Herbert’s acclaimed books.
“I Will Love You As Lengthy As I Breathe.”
The connection between Paul and Chani is likely one of the largest changes that Villeneuve made to Dune 2. On the finish of the movie, Chani finally rejects Paul’s standing as chief of the Fremen and leaves Arrakeen following his betrothal to Princess Irulan. Within the books, Chani sticks by his aspect and stays his loyal concubine all through his time as Emperor.
It’s arduous to think about how Villeneuve can resolve the plot of Dune Messiah with out bringing Paul and Chani again collectively, since a lot of the narrative revolves round Chani and Irulan preventing to conceive Paul’s inheritor. Their love triangle is the driving emotional power of the guide, and if Chani actually doesn’t come again to Paul throughout the twelve years that he is Emperor, Dune 3 might be very completely different.
Importantly, Paul’s confession that he’ll love Chani “so long as [he] breathes” is a really highly effective one which seemingly confirms Paul will try to win Chani again to his trigger in Dune 3. It definitely doesn’t really feel like their romance is over, however slightly, Villeneuve is merely giving Chani extra company in her resolution to face by Paul.
“Lead Them To Paradise.”
One of many closing traces spoken in Dune 2, Paul’s command to “lead [the Fremen] to paradise” completely sums up his character arc all through the primary two motion pictures. He’s develop into a totally disillusioned chief, primarily utilizing the Fremen folks to realize his personal objectives and leaning on the false promise of paradise to capitalize on their blind religion.
There’s been an eternal debate about whether or not Paul is truly the hero or villain of Dune, and whereas it’s in all probability not as black-and-white because the query supposes, this line actually paints the brand new Duke of Arrakis in an immortal gentle. It is going to be fascinating to see how Dune 3 leans into this subtext, utilizing his false promise to discover how a lot of an oppressor he’s to the Fremen.
