completion Dune: Part Two hit theaters, director Denis Villeneuve—who found great success at first Duneand enjoyed a similar blockbuster response to its sequel—understandably said that he rested from the world of Frank Herbert before concluding the epic trilogy of Dune Messiah.

But last fallhe said he realized that his desire to return to Arrakis is greater than his desire for some downtime—and a recent interview suggests that will happen soon indeed.

Talked to the WrapVilleneuve was asked what his unique element was Dune the experience is long. After explaining that he had a pinch-me moment after Dune: Part Two completed—just absorbed that he actually completed a Dune adaptation, something he called “a rare privilege”—he confessed that even after all the work, he was hungry for more.

“I think my biggest surprise about this is that I didn’t want to run away from Arrakis. I’m still inspired to come back,” he told the outlet. “That’s the thing that surprised me. I felt it after Part TwoI should have needed a break. I thought I would like to write some films or do some things before coming back Dune Messiah. But the images that kept coming back to my mind, were completely unappealing. That was the biggest surprise. I still want to go back to Arrakis.”

He made it clear that his return to Arrakis in the service of Dune Messiah—and THEN he was ready to move on. “After that, it becomes unhealthy,” he joked.

There is no timeline yet for when Dune Messiah remains to be seen, but we do know that in June 2024, Warner Bros. put up a banner on December 18, 2026 for a Villeneuve project described only as an “event film.” (It should be noted: in November 2024no more untitled Star Wars The movie is also slated for that date.) Release dates are always subject to change, of course, but for now that’s the best intel we have on when the sandworms might rise again.

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