Denis Villeneuve has returned to Arrakis to begin production on “Dune 2.” Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Entertainment have already announced a November 2023 international cinema release date for the film. Villeneuve is now filming the sequel in Budapest, Abu Dhabi, Jordan, and Italy.
And the film returns with Dave Bautista, who is already preparing for the sequel in some fresh photographs. With a recent Instagram post, the former WWE superstar pumped up the fans. “If the spice has to flow, the beard has to go,” he explained. Of course, the fans were overjoyed at the prospect of being so close to Dune Part Two. When the first film was released in theatres, it was a huge box office success.
Warner Bros. was so pleased with the film’s performance that it announced a sequel the following Monday. It was seen as a huge victory for Denis Villeneuve, as many fans doubted if the tale would ever be effectively depicted on-screen again following a prior couple of efforts. The action now moves forward, and things can get crazier.
“This follow-up picture will detail the mythological adventure of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of retribution against the conspirators who slaughtered his family,” according to the official “Dune: Part 2” description from Warner Bros. and Legendary. He attempts to prevent the fate of the known universe from being chosen over the love of his life.
Also Read: Dune 2 Release Date, Filming Details, and Who is Returning?
Dune 2 Cast Members
The returning cast, led by Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, has also been announced by Warner Bros. and Legendary. Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, and Stephen McKinley Henderson will return to the cast.
The studios have also confirmed previously announced cast additions such as “Elvis” breakthrough Austin Butler as the infamous Feyd Rautha and Christopher Walken as the Emperor, as well as Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux, and Sheila Yacoub.
Here is what Dave Bautista shared.
Dave Bautista previously stated that earning this job made him feel so pleased that he understood it was worth sacrificing his wrestling career. During a chat, the actor said that Villeneuve directly asked him about working on this project.
“We tracked that movie for months because I really wanted to be a part of it,” the actor explained. “I never contacted Denis because I didn’t want to be that person who says, ‘Hey, Denis, is there a part for me?’ I had no desire to be that person. But when he phoned, he didn’t mention anything like, ‘so there’s this section…’ He merely asked me if I wanted to come and play this part. I was so taken away that I didn’t know what to say except, of course, ‘yes.'”
“Moments like that truly assess how far I’ve gone as an actor,” he continued. For me, it’s a source of great satisfaction that a filmmaker like Denis would call and give me a role in a film that I know will be huge. Because people have been waiting for this for years and years. And people are enthralled by the literature.
So for him to offer me such an important role in this film was a personal message for me. That kind of passion, that sense of pride, I can’t buy. These are the few times in my life when I feel that my life has meaning like I have accomplished something with my life.
The first “Dune” film, directed by Villeneuve, premiered last October in cinemas and on HBO Max to great acclaim. The film grossed $108 million in the United States and $401 million worldwide.
“Dune” was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including best picture, and won for a score, sound, editing, cinematography, production design, and visual effects. For “Part Two,” Villeneuve’s entire Oscar-winning production team is back.
“Dune: Part Two” will be released on November 17, 2023.
