The latest reporting from Daniel Richtman goes: “While it wasn't officially green lit yet WB is confident in Dune Part 2 and they signed Timothée Chalamet for a third movie.”
Last week, Deadline slyly mentioned how a third ‘Dune’ film was in the works. They later referred to “Dune: Part Two” as the "middle film." This led to some fans speculating that the third film will have Villeneuve adapting Herbert’s ‘Messiah.’
Of course, it might all depend on how well “Dune: Part Two” gets received. The first one, released during the pandemic, had good numbers and amassed a large-enough fanbase.
SPOILERS: ‘Messiah’ is a story set some years after the closing of the first installment, and sees Chalamet's character, Paul Atreides, as the emperor who conquered most of the known universe.
"Denis has talked seriously about making that film as well, as a conclusion of the trilogy," ‘Dune’ writer Jon Spaihts told The Playlist. Villeneuve confirmed his intention to make the film, via Collider:
"Now I could envision a third movie and to make the adaptation of ‘Dune: Messiah’ that will complete Paul Atreides's story that I think would make sense. But each movie, these movies are monsters, and I can only do one at a time. If I survive ‘Dune: Part Two’, then I might do the Messiah."
“Dune: Part Two” is set for release in November.