Legendary/WB Working on ‘Dune 4’

Denis Villeneuve hasn’t even shot “Dune Messiah” yet, but Warner Bros and Legendary are already planning ahead in milking this franchise to death.

Warners/Legendary’s plans to expand the ‘Dune’ movies, beyond Villeneuve, hasn’t been that big of a secret. A contact that’s been close to the Quebecois filmmaker told me in the fall that Villeneuve was rather “irked” by these potential plans to expand the franchise, with or without him.

Just to be clear, Villeneuve wouldn’t be returning to direct ‘Dune 4’ as he’s made it very clear that Frank Herbert’s books dip in quality after ‘Messiah.’ Frankly, it’s a wise decision on his part, and I don’t believe Timothee Chalamet or Zendaya would want to make a fourth film without him either. Then again, a big fat paycheck might change their minds.

It’s no big surprise that scooper Daniel Richtman has now heard the same rumblings as I have, and basically insinuating that there are plans for more ‘Dune,’ including a “new show and a fourth movie.”

Regardless, “Dune: Messiah” will be the first time an adaptation of Herbert’s stories went beyond the first “Dune” novel. ‘Messiah’ is very different, in terms of scope and story, than “Dune” — it’s a much shorter book as well. Villeneuve will be shooting it in August/September of next Legendary.

Looking into the future, and as mentioned, Herbert’s series does go beyond ‘Messiah,’ but the books are much weirder, sillier, and might not lend themselves as well to big screen adapting. There’s “Children Of Dune” and “God Emperor Of Dune,” both of which might be turned into films.

There’s already been a Max series, titled “Dune: Prophecy,” which wasn’t nearly as acclaimed as Villeneuve’s movies, but did get decent viewership numbers. Suffice to say it, Villeneuve might have started a monster of corporate milking, and we’re now likely going to be getting 10+ years worth of ‘Dune’ stuff.