Warning: This article contains potential spoilers for Dune: Part Two and Dune: Part Three, using information from the novels, Dune and Dune Messiah.

Summary

• Dune: Part Two promises a more devastating ending than the book, setting the stage for a potential Dune: Part Three to be an even better adaptation with a fitting tonal shift.
• Director Denis Villeneuve hopes for a third Dune film, with a script already in the works, suggesting that Dune: Part Two is tailored with a threequel in mind.
• Villeneuve's approach to emphasizing the tragedy in the second half of the first book can effectively position Dune: Part Three as a fitting trilogy finale.

Dune: Part Two's story is tailored with a threequel in mind.

Villeneuve teases Dune: Part Two's ending as "more tragic" than the books, and he adds that the ending "would create a total balance and equilibrium to finish Paul’s storyline in what we could say in Part Three." Herbert's Dune includes numerous character losses, such as Duke Leto Atreides' death, which was included in the first Dune film. Similarly, the sequel will likely emphasize the tragedy from the second half of the book. How Villeneuve does this can effectively posit Dune: Part Three to be a fitting trilogy finale.

What Dune 2's Ending Being "More Tragic" Than The Book Means

In Herbert's Dune, the ending is mostly centered around Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) seizing Emperor Shaddam IV's throne and the latter promising the former his daughter Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) for marriage. This occurs after a climactic battle in which the Sardaukar and Harkonnen troops are defeated. Although Paul gains the throne and unwavering loyalty of the Fremen, he loses his firstborn son, Leto II, and faces an unwanted marriage.

To make this ending more tragic, Dune: Part Two could instead set up some events from Dune Messiah more directly. For instance, Paul faces immense oppositional forces trying to overthrow him. Additionally, a ghola - an engineered copy of Duncan Idaho - enters Paul's life and regains consciousness and Paul, physically blind, leaves to wander the desert. Since this occurs 12 years into Paul's reign as emperor, Dune: Part Two can include Leto II's death, as well as allude to betrayal lurking under his nose.

Dune 2's Tragic Ending Will Properly Set Up Dune 3's Tone

Herbert's Dune Messiah also includes big character deaths that directly impact Paul's story arc. Most notably, Chani (Zendaya) dies during childbirth and Scytale, a Face Dancer, even threatens Paul and Chani's twin newborns with a knife. This loss follows an ongoing battle for Paul that includes attempts on his life and dethroning him. Therefore, his overall journey in a potential Dune: Part Three would be centered on various struggles and loss of loved ones and power.

Additionally, Paul's final moments in Dune Messiah has him deciding to wander the desert, embracing the Fremen tradition of a blind man doing this. This means he gives up his following, throne, and children after losing his partner. This heartbreaking decision also sets up the ongoing belief in the book series that Paul dies. Therefore, Dune: Part Two alluding to the tragic tone of Dune Messiah makes the heavier losses expected for Dune: Part Three easier to lead into.

Dune: Part Two premieres in theaters on March 1, 2024.