While the world waits for Dune: Part Two and Dune: Prophecy, there have been plenty of rumors about what’s next for Frank Herbert’s legendary sci-fi series. Director Denis Villeneuve has made it clear that he wants to finish his trilogy by adapting the second book in the series, Dune Messiah.
But what about beyond that? There’s clearly potential for a massive franchise, but the source material gets increasingly complex. The series spans thousands of years and dozens of characters, making it difficult to adapt faithfully while maintaining audience interest.
What seems most likely is that Warner Bros. will gauge the success of Dune: Part Two and the HBO series Dune: Prophecy before making any firm commitments beyond Dune Messiah. If both perform well, we could see further adaptations of Herbert’s later novels like Children of Dune or even God Emperor of Dune.
The studio may also consider exploring other eras in the Dune universe, similar to how Dune: Prophecy takes place 10,000 years before the events of the main series. The rich lore offers many possibilities for spinoffs and prequels.
Fans should remember that Herbert’s later Dune books become increasingly philosophical and less action-oriented, which might present challenges for mainstream adaptations. Whatever direction Warner Bros. chooses, the hope is that they maintain the artistic integrity that has made Villeneuve’s vision so compelling.
