Dune 2 confirmed for 2023 release

Timothée Chalamet in Dune
(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Dune 2 is officially happening – and it's coming October 20, 2023, as a theatrical-exclusive release, Warner Bros. and Legendary have confirmed.

Dune: Part One adapts parts of Frank Herbert's novel, which is split into three books, leaving room for more story to tell. Writer and director Denis Villeneuve had previously been optimistic about a sequel being greenlit, but that wasn't a sure thing upon release – in both cinemas and on HBO Max – a week ago

Now, the official Dune Twitter account shared the Dune 2 logo along with the caption: "This is only the beginning," echoing a line said by Zendaya's Chani.

"I just received news from Legendary that we are officially moving forward with Dune: Part Two," writer and director Denis Villeneuve said in a statement (via THR). "It was a dream of mine to adapt Frank Herbert’s Dune and I have the fans, the cast, and crew, Legendary and Warner Bros. to thank for supporting this dream. This is only the beginning."

As the first movie straddles the first and second books from the original novel, Dune 2 will likely do the same with the second and third books. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Villeneuve teased that the sequel will be "more fun" and "more cinematic," but avoided sharing anything further about the plot or characters. If you want an idea of where the story could go, you can read about what happens next in the books here (spoilers for both Dune books, obviously).

For everything else coming to theaters and streaming services soon, here are the upcoming movies we're excited about.

Jordan Gerblick

After scoring a degree in English from ASU, I worked as a copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. Now, as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer, I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my apartment, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.