\n<\/p>\n
In the wake of <\/span>Dune: Part Two<\/em><\/a> shattering box office expectations, filmmaker\u00a0Denis Villeneuve may get the opportunity to further explore the <\/span>rich universe of Frank Herbert’s Dune<\/em> series<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The celebrated director —\u00a0who helmed the first two <\/span>Dune<\/span><\/em> films — is set to reteam with Legendary to develop another installment of the high-concept space opera, <\/span>Variety<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/em>reports.<\/span><\/p>\n It’s unclear exactly which of the many sequel novels — if any — Villeneuve might adapt for the third film, or if it will blend multiple elements from different parts of the expansive source material.<\/span><\/p>\n ET has reached out to Warner Bros. — distributors of the first two <\/span>Dune<\/span><\/em> films — for comment.<\/span><\/p>\n Villeneuve has built a rock-solid reputation as a cinematic pioneer for his work on<\/span> Dune,<\/span><\/em> as well as the critically beloved <\/span>Blade Runner 2049 <\/span><\/em>(2017), the groundbreaking sci-fi drama <\/span>Arrival<\/span><\/em> (2016), and the acclaimed crime dramas <\/span>Sicario<\/span><\/em> (2015) and <\/span>Prisoners<\/span><\/em> (2013), among others.<\/span><\/p>\n It seems that\u00a0Villeneuve will also be turning his unique filmmaking vision towards adapting\u00a0Annie Jacobsen’s new nonfiction book\u00a0<\/span>Nuclear War: A Scenario<\/em><\/a>, which hit shelves in March and explains in harrowing detail what could and likely would happen in the event of a modern nuclear war, and the aftermath.<\/span><\/p>\n Legendary optioned the feature film rights to the book, and\u00a0Villeneuve is in discussions with the studio to produce the film — alongside his producing partner, Tanya Lapointe — as well as adapt the nonfiction tome for the big screen, and possibly direct as well.<\/span><\/p>\n As for <\/span>Dune: Part Two<\/span><\/em>, which hit theaters on Mar. 1, the star-studded epic has become the highest-grossing film of 2024 thus far, with an impressive worldwide haul of $630 million and an incredible <\/span>93 percent Rotten Tomatoes score<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Back in February, ET’s Nischelle Turner spoke with stars\u00a0<\/span>Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Zendaya<\/a>, and the pair\u00a0shared their thoughts on how the sequel explores the romance between their characters — Paul Atreides and Chani — and how it proved to be a little awkward at times.<\/span><\/p>\n The pair has now worked together on the franchise for nearly five years and are close off screen, but totally platonic. Both are currently in high-profile relationships of their own — Zendaya with\u00a0<\/span>Tom Holland<\/a>\u00a0and Chalamet with\u00a0<\/span>Kylie Jenner<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s definitely strange,” Zendaya admitted. “I think both of us are just like, ‘Alright. This is our job. OK, we’re going to do this.'”<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s weird as hell, ’cause we’re so close, platonically,” Chalamet agreed. “In the scope of the movie, it’s totally what is happening, but I also feel like we are so tight now that it really is just like another day at work.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I don’t know what that says about the nature of our jobs,” he joked, “but it’s just another day of work.”<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Zendaya praised\u00a0Villeneuve for his deft ability to balance the humanity of the characters with the story’s epic scope and scale.<\/span><\/p>\n “In this specific love story, I think we’re so grateful to have Denis at the helm of this very special thing,” she reflected. “He always found a way to somehow — amongst all of the epicness that is the Dune universe — find a way to carve out a very sentimental, beautiful love story that is, I feel, in many respects, earned.”<\/span><\/p>\n RELATED CONTENT:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n