Denis Villeneuve Says 'Dune' Would Have To Do "Really Badly" For WB To Pass On 'Part Two'

While it’s not a spoiler, by any stretch of the imagination, folks shouldn’t be surprised when they see the title card for “Dune” calling the film “Part One.” From the get-go, film fans have known that filmmaker Denis Villeneuve was splitting Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi novel into two parts. And it was assumed, by Villeneuve and fans, that Warner Bros. would greenlight both films. Well, then the pandemic hit, and “Dune” was shifted to HBO Max and theatrical day-and-date, leaving people to wonder if the diminished box office returns from that move would doom the chances of a “Dune” sequel. Well, Villeneuve is still moving ahead as if the sequel is going to get the green light.

According to an interview with SFX Magazine (via GamesRadar), Denis Villeneuve is slightly optimistic when it comes to the chances of there being a “Dune: Part Two.” He stated that he’ll know one way or another if “Part Two” of the “Dune” franchise will happen “by December.” Why December? We’re not sure. It’s assumed that, by then, WB will have a pretty clear picture of the financial success of “Part One,” which arrives in October, so that probably plays a big role in that determination. As for the likelihood of a sequel, Villeneuve said that things would have to go “really badly” for it not to happen. Coming from the man who only months ago said that the franchise was effectively dead because of the HBO Max news, this is definitely the most hopeful we’ve seen him.

Reviews of “Dune” have already been released, as the film recently had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. And though many of them were glowing, including our own, there’s a through-line in most of them about how the film feels incomplete. Obviously, this is because the “Dune” saga is being cut in half, leaving the first half ending on a bit of an unfinished note. Even Villeneuve agrees, calling the eventual “Part Two” of the series “the main meal.”

Writing is apparently pretty far along for “Dune: Part Two,” and we already know WarnerMedia is optimistic, as well, with work being done on an HBO Max spinoff series happening now. So, we’ll just have to wait and see on October 22, when “Dune” hits HBO Max and theaters, if Denis Villeneuve will be able to finish his epic sci-fi saga or if fans will be left with half of a story.