Denis Villeneuve is currently working on Dune: Part Three, and while the film is exciting, it may be taking a different approach than the director’s previous Dune films. Villeneuve’s Dune series has been one of the most acclaimed projects of the 2020s, with the director’s third and final Dune film set to close out his trilogy of Frank Herbert adaptations.

Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two are both adaptations of Frank Herbert’s original Dune novel, with Villeneuve believing that he needed two films to flesh out the mᴀssive sci-fi epic. While the second film wasn’t greenlit when the first movie was released, this gamble paid off, leading to two beloved movies to start out the modern Dune film series.

Now, Denis Villeneuve is continuing this story by moving on to Herbert’s second Dune novel, Dune Messiah. The sequel follows Paul Atreides years after he has become the Emperor, examining the fallout of his Holy War that he waged at the end of Dune: Part Two. There are still a lot of questions surrounding Dune: Part Three‘s Messiah adaptation, but Villeneuve is definitely taking a unique approach.

Dune 3’s Story Might Combine Dune Messiah & Children Of Dune

Instead Of Splitting One Book Into Two Movies

As it turns out, Dune: Part Three may combine the stories of Dune Messiah and the third book, Children of Dune, into one movie. Dune: Part Three has already cast both of Paul Atreides’ kids, who are babies in Dune Messiah. However, both of the actors are teens, creating a lot of confusion about the upcoming sequel.

While it is possible that the ages of Paul’s kids could just be an adaptational change, it also raises the possibility that elements of Children of Dune will be featured in Dune: Part Three. Paul’s kids are at this age in Children of Dune, so it would make sense for these actors to come in during the second half of the film, after the Dune Messiah story is over.

Interestingly, there is a precedent for this. The TV miniseries Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune adapted Dune Messiah and Children of Dune together, which was an odd choice that paid off. Dune: Part Three could be taking notes from this miniseries, with Villeneuve ending his trilogy by adapting both books at the same time.

However, this approach would be a complete reversal of Villeneuve’s previous Dune films. Rather than spreading one book across two movies, Dune: Part Three would be using one movie to tell the story of two books. However, Villeneuve clearly knows what he’s doing based on the previous movies, meaning that this may be the right call for Dune: Part Three.