Filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, out doing the awards show circuit for “Dune,” says that film’s sequel is almost ready to begin its shoot this Summer.
Speaking with Collider recently, he confirmed that the screenplay for the second part – which adapts the second half of Frank Herbert’s novel – is ‘mostly’ finished. In addition, he and cinematographer Greig Fraser are planning to use IMAX cameras to a larger degree in the sequel:
“Greig Fraser and I, we fell in love with this format, and definitely there will be – even probably more – IMAX footage in this movie. Definitely. The screenplay is finished mostly, but it’s always a work in progress. It’ll be a work in progress until final cut, but I will say it’s solidified. I have a script in my hands. We are in prep right now… My crew, we are in full prep for the movie.”
“Dune: Part Two” will reunite Villeneuve with Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Zendaya and Javier Bardem.
Florence Pugh is in final negotiations to play Princess Irulan while Austin Butler is in early conversations to play Feyd-Rautha. The role of Emperor Shaddam IV is expected to be announced shortly.
The first “Dune” grossed nearly $400 million globally despite opening in the U.S. in theaters and streaming via HBO Max simultaneously.
