In January 2025, Warner Bros. officially confirmed the development of a third installment in the Dune franchise. However, the sensational news was that Denis Villeneuve, director of the first two installments, would be leaving the project due to creative differences with the studio’s producers, who wanted to make the film “more commercial and less epic.”
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Villeneuve, whose films are renowned for their visual poetry and philosophical depth, insisted on maintaining the complex narrative structure and dark tone characteristic of Frank Herbert’s original novel. However, the studio, concerned about the decline in box office revenue during Part II’s release in some regions, wants to make the film “more accessible” to a mass audience.
Joe Russo, one of the brothers who helmed Avengers: Endgame, is being considered to replace Villeneuve. His approach, focused on spectacle and a clear narrative, has provoked a mixed reaction among fans. Many fear that Dune will lose its uniqueness and become just another soulless blockbuster.
Timothée Chalamet, who plays Paul Atreides, expressed support for Villeneuve in a statement, calling him “the architect of the Dune universe for the new century.” Along with Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, and Austin Butler, he called on the studio to reconsider and preserve the creative integrity of the franchise.
However, the studio has already begun negotiations with new screenwriters, including those who have written superhero films, causing concern in the literary community. Fans launched a petition demanding Villeneuve’s return, garnering over half a million signatures in a week.