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Ready to head back to Arrakis? The first”Dune: Part Three” teaser has just landed to give us our first look at the final installment of Denis Villeneuve’s spicy space trilogy.
Get ready for a 17-year time jump as Timothée Chalamet’s older, more jaded Paul Atreides continues to grapple with holy war, his messianic status and the consequences of marrying Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) instead of his Fremen lover Chani (Zendaya).
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So, after giving Space’s resident Mentats a moment to analyze the new “Dune: Part Three” teaser trailer, here are five key talking points about one of the year’s most anticipated upcoming sci-fi movies.
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD! WALK HERE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
1. The next generation
If you’ve read the book, you know that Paul and Chani haven’t gone their separate ways since the denouement of “Dune: Part Two,” when Chani refused to bow to the newly appointed Galactic Emperor.
The trailer opens with the couple discussing what to call the child they are expecting. Paul suggests Ghanima for a girl – “She needs to be strong, like her mother” – while Chani suggests Leto for a boy: “So he wanted the wisdom of his (deceased) grandfather”.
Since the novel is over half a century old—and has been adapted into a TV miniseries—it’s not a massive spoiler to say that twins are on the way (maybe they should have plumped for Leia and Luke?), and that both are destined for major roles in the future of Arrakis.
Atreides sprogs played by Ida Brooke (the young Shirley Campbell in “Silo“) and – making his screen debut – Nakoa-Wolf Momoa, son of co-star Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet.
2. It’s war!
Nearly two decades have passed since Paul unleashed his Fremen forces at the end of “Dune: Part Two“, fighting back against the other Great Houses who want to take control of Arrakis’ lucrative melange (or spice).
However, that does not mean that everyone is on board with the young Atreides as leader. Even with the Harkonnens out of the picture, there is actually little sign of a truce as Stilgar leads his Fremen forces into battle.
“War feeds on itself,” Paul tells his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson). “The more I fight, the more our enemies fight back.” He claims he’s doing the best he can to protect his family, before asking, “How did dad do it?”
“Your father never started a war,” she points out knowingly.
3. Back from the dead
Yes, Jason Momoa’s Duncan Idaho (Paul’s beloved protector and advisor) didn’t make it out of the first “Dune” alive, but the “Aquaman” star is back in action in “Dune: Part Three.” He’s technically not the same character.
This is Hayt, a “Ghola” (or artificial human) resurrected from the cells of the deceased Idaho – a clone in everything but the name. In the books, Hayt 1.0 is presented to Paul as a gift, although the couple’s motivations may not be entirely altruistic.
4. Reach for Scytale
Robert Pattinson seems to work his way through major genre franchises (“Harry Potter,” “Twilight,” “The Batman”), and “Dune: Part Three” is his latest foray into space after “High Life” and “Mickey 17“.
Here he appears as Scytale, a morally ambiguous antagonist who – based on his reputation from the novels – looks set to become a fan favourite. He is a genetically engineered Tleilaxu Face Dancer—a shapeshifter, in other words—who works as a spy for some of House Atreides’ enemies.
5. God complex
Having legions of loyal followers who see you as Muad’Dib, the Chosen Fremen, can definitely go to your head, and Paul isn’t afraid to show it to the masses. He also suggests that he is prepared to put his money where his mouth is.
“I’m not afraid to die,” he says in voiceover, “but I must not die…”
“Dune: Part Three” is in cinemas from Friday 18 December, the same day as “Avengers: Doomsday“. You can watch “Dune: Part One” and “Dune: Part Two” on HBO Max.
