Dune: Part Two Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

As “Dune: Part Two” looks to potentially double the global box office grosses of the original installment in the coming weeks (it currently sits at $628.8 million), fans of the franchise were a little surprised a few characters were missing in the sequel. One of those characters was Stephen McKinley Henderson‘s Thufir Hawat, a loyal member of House Atreides, prominently featured in the first film.

Rebecca Ferguson is becoming close to a household name. O.K., maybe “close” is a slight exaggeration, but her profile is bigger than her social media presence, and that’s primarily because her resume over the past decade is filled with one banger after another.

“Dune: Part Two” returns to IMAX screens this weekend, a move that will likely send Denis Villeneuve‘s sequel over the $700 million global box office barrier. That’ll be a coup for him and Warner Bros. and all but assure Villeneuve makes “Dune: Part Three” as soon as possible (barring a break, of course, and maybe another project first as a creative palette cleanser).

It’s a rare treat when two genre filmmaking giants like Steven Spielberg and Denis Villeneuve come together to share their insights. In a recent episode of The Director’s Cut—A DGA Podcast, these visionary filmmakers sat down for a conversation that was both entertaining and enlightening.

After three weeks in theaters, “Dune: Part Two” currently reigns as the top-grossing film of 2024 with $512.1 million earned globally. That’s about $80 more total gross than its 2021 predecessor, which guarantees Warner Bros. will greenlight “Dune: Messiah,” right? Not so fast.

March is starting off strong with the highly-anticipated sequel, “Dune: Part Two.” The month continues strong, both through the annual SXSW festivities for film fanatics but for theatrical and streaming releases too.

If we’re going to praise the visual rapture of Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” movies—and we should—and in particular, the newly released “Dune: Part Two,” there’s no conversation that can happen without mention of Academy Award-winning cinematographer Greig Fraser, who won his first Oscar for “Dune” in 2022. READ MORE: Denis Villeneuve Calls ‘Dune: Part Two’ A “Dark Tragedy,” Talks Potential ‘Messiah’ Sequel & More [Interview] While “Dune: Part Two” is genuinely unanimously praised by critics (read our review here)—and this weekend, it grossed $178.5 million worldwide, and with $81 domestic, that’s the biggest opening since “Barbie”— it does have a small group of detractors.

Last week saw the global launch of Denis Villeneuve’s second “Dune” film, wrapping up the conclusion of the first novel adaptation while also leaving everything on a cliffhanger for a third movie that the filmmaker is co-writing with franchise screenwriter Jon Spaihts. Strong critical responses and audience word of mouth have paid off big time for the film as it has made some history over the weekend, becoming the biggest opening for the director and overperforming compared to the first part that was released back in September 2021.

*Some spoilers ahead for “Dune: Part Two” in the following article, beware.” When adapting a rich sci-fi fantasy literary franchise as dense and epic as the scale of Frank Herbert’s “Dune,” some things just won’t be able to make the feature film adaptation. As you may have noticed if you saw this film this weekend, there are a few elements seen in the David Lynch incarnation that didn’t make it into director Denis Villeneuve’s two-part incarnation, such as the Spicing Guild and Navigator (A mutated clairvoyant that warns The Emperor of House Atreties and Paul Atreteies becoming a threat to them).

Many questions abound with “Dune: Part Two” now in theaters.

In a new GQ “Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters” video piece, actor Josh Brolin reveals that when director Denis Villeneuve wanted him for a part in “Dune” and offered to send the script, Brolin immediately said, “No need.” As in, having worked with him already, he was taking the part without having to read a word. “I had a feeling first of all, and it was Denis, second,” Brolin explained about why he gave an immediate yes.

Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” opens this Friday, March 1, and returning for the film as the Bene Gesserit Lady Jessica and Paul Atreides’ mother is actress Rebecca Ferguson, known for the “Mission Impossible” franchise (read our review). As I noted earlier this week, Ferguson can be a mercurial interview; she’s spirited, unconventional, can turn on a dime, and doesn’t suffer fools gladly.

Earlier this week, we described “Dune: Part Two” star Rebecca Ferguson as somewhat unpredictable and always outspoken, always willing to boldly speak her mind no matter the consequences. This was in reference to Ferguson, candidly sharing with The Playlist in a recent interview that the actress herself had decided to leave the “Mission Impossible” franchise after her three-picture deal had ended, and then the filmmakers decided to kill off her character.

Following ecstatic reviews (including ours) and a super impressive Rotten review score of 97, Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” seems poised to not only conquer the sagging 2024 box office but enliven it, perhaps giving it the shot in the arm it needs. READ MORE: ‘Dune: Part Two’ Review: A Darker, Devastating Blockbuster & Cautionary Tale About Prophecy, Fate & False Idols It’s a colossal film and an immense achievement, but a much darker film, and clearly much darker than I expected (full disclosure: I started reading, but put down Frank Herbert‘s “Dune” before the first film came out; more below).

As her many online fans have noticed, Rebecca Ferguson is playful, eccentric, sometimes very candid, can turn on a dime, and does not suffer fools. Interviewing her can be like riding a wild bull, a bit unpredictable and disarming, and I found that to be very much the case with my latest interview with her about “Dune: Part Two” (read our review here).

“Dune: Part Two” is about to open in theaters worldwide on March 1, so most of the cast is out there pounding the pavement of press and getting the word out. One of them is Dave Bautista, who plays Glossu Rabban Harkonnen, nephew of Baron Harkonnen, and one of the baddies in the film who is seemingly usurped by his even more vicious family member Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen (Austin Butler).

Sometimes, a filmmaker makes a comment in the home stretch of promotion for their film that either blows up the marketing plan or irritates the rank and file of cineastes. And just as “Dune: Part Two” is about to hit theaters (read our review), director Denis Villeneuve seems to have made provocative comments in a recent interview that have kind of blown up the internet.

“Dune: Part Two” is almost in theaters, reviews have been ecstatic, and hype for the Denis Villeneuve film seems to be off the charts; it’s expected to be the first major blockbuster theatrical release of the year when it opens this weekend, March 1 (read our review here). We spoke to Rebecca Ferguson about her role as Bene Gesserit Lady Jessica in the movie, and while we’ll roll out that full interview ASAP, we did it briefly; at the end of our interview, I asked about her role in “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning.” READ MORE: Christopher McQuarrie Explains The “Tough Decision” Of Killing A Key Character in ‘Dead Reckoning’ Spoilers for anyone who hasn’t seen the film, but it’s almost eight months old at this point; Ferguson’s character, Ilsa Faust, a disavowed MI6 agent, is killed at the hands of the powerful terrorist Gabriel (Esai Morales) in a knife fight.

Austin Butler‘s breakout came from a Method acting performance for the ages in Baz Luhrmann‘s “Elvis,” with the actor living in the role on camera and off for about three years. But Butler wasn’t about to do that for Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in “Dune: Part Two“.

Immense, remarkably captivating, imposing, and right on the edge of overblown, filmmaker Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” is a spectacular blockbuster epic in the grandest sense of the tradition. Picking up where ‘Part One’ left off, this darker, bleaker, moodier sequel is a grand war movie but also a devastating cautionary tale about messiahs, idolatry, and the dangers of false gods.

As always, the 2024 Sundance Film Festival gave us several likely Oscar nominees. Keiran Culkin for “A Real Pain,” documentaries “Union” or “Daughters“,” and, potentially, Sebastian Stan for “A Different Man.” But there was no Best Picture player in the vein of “Past Lives” or “CODA” in Park City last month, at least, there didn’t seem to be.

Earlier today, one of the last puzzles of the “Dune” puzzle came together. “The Queen’s Gambit” star Anya Taylor-Joy, who leads the upcoming “Mad Max: Furiosa” film, revealed she has a role in Dennis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two.” Who is she playing? We know, but are sworn to secrecy and won’t spoil more than she has herself already.

What’s this: another young star is part of the cast of Denis Villeneuve‘s sequel “Dune: Part Two“? Yes, indeed. Variety reports that Anya Taylor-Joy joined the likes of Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Austin Butler for the upcoming blockbuster’s world premiere in London today, confirming that she has a role in the film.

Before we get into some recent quotes about the end of “Dune: Part Two” made by Denis Villeneuve, it’s important to know that nothing said in this piece will be considered a spoiler. That said, if you want to be completely fresh, then you probably shouldn’t read and just go watch the sequel and be amazed by what happens.

When you look at the creative level most people hope to achieve when crafting a sci-fi/fantasy film, the original “Star Wars” trilogy is really that high water mark, particularly ‘Empire Strikes Back.’ So when anyone compares the upcoming “Dune: Part Two” to ‘Empire,’ that is high praise. But for it to come from the mouth of Christopher Nolan, that makes it a bit more meaningful.

Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two” is arriving imminently, and fans are already becoming extremely excited about what they’ve heard online. Filmmaker Christopher Nolan recently moderated a Q&A with Villeneuve, and he likened the film to “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” in terms of it being the darkest installment of the franchise, which has further stoked the fandom.

We’re still about a month away from the long-awaited release of “Dune: Part Two.” After the massive success of the first film, both financially and critically, there are many expecting the sequel to be nothing short of a sci-fi masterpiece. Well, that praise is still premature, but the hype does have people expecting a quick announcement from the studio about the already-in-development “Dune: Messiah,” which would be the third and final chapter of Denis Villeneueve’s ‘Dune’ trilogy.

While “Dune: Part Two” does not arrive until March 1—and is said to be a long 2 hours and 45 minutes—people are still asking what’s next and if “Dune: Messiah” could be a “Dune: Part Three.” Well, in a new interview with Fandango, when asked if they’d be interested in doing more, Zendaya, seemingly speaking for the assembled cast, said yes if director Denis Villeneuve is on board.

Isn’t this interesting? Variety reports that Warner Bros. is giving Christopher Nolan‘s 2020 time-looping actioner “Tenet” a re-release in theaters, IMAX and 70mm next month as part of the build-up to “Dune: Part Two” on March 1. “Tenet” will run for one weekly only starting on February 23 in the US and select international markets with exclusive footage of Denis Villeneuve‘s sequel attached.

After the guild strikes forced Warner Bros. to push it from November to next March, “Dune: Part Two” now opens the blockbuster movie season in 2024.

Moviegoers feared the worst in August when Warner Bros. pushed “Dune: Part Two” from its original November 3 release to March 15, 2024.

Initially due in November 2023, Denis Villeneuve’s next installment within the Oscar-winning “Dune” franchise is obviously not arriving until March 15, 2024. “Dune: Part Two” is expected to wrap up the first adaptation of the Frank Herbert series of sci-fi fantasy novels that inspired things like “Star Wars.” In the second chapter of this saga, Oscar-nominated actor Austin Butler (“Elvis”) plays Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, the violent rival of Paul Atreides.

The next evolution in Timothée Chalamet‘s acting career? Singing onscreen, which he’ll do first in Paul King‘s “Wonka” and again in James Mangold‘s upcoming Bob Dylan bioopic “A Complete Unknown.” But is Chalamet prepared to take on the role of the iconic singer-songwriter? You bet he is, thanks to his “Dune: Part Two‘ co-star Austin Butler.

Timothée Chalamet alert for all the Timmy C fans out there. “Dune: Part Two” is not coming out this fall as initially planned—it’s been kicked into 2024—but that doesn’t mean the planned GQ profile on him isn’t releasing as planned.

Though it is expected that “Dune: Part Two” (now scheduled for a 2024 release date) will finish the story of Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel, it really isn’t the full story arc for the lead character, Paul Atreides. You see, the sequel novel, “Dune: Messiah,” is really the end-end of the story, finishing up the arc for Paul and showing the true effect of the character’s place in Arrakis.

Though it is expected that “Dune: Part Two” (now scheduled for a 2024 release date) will finish the story of Frank Herbert’s iconic sci-fi novel, it really isn’t the full story arc for the lead character, Paul Atreides. You see, the sequel novel, “Dune: Messiah,” is really the end-end of the story, finishing up the arc for Paul and showing the true effect of the character’s place in Arrakis.