Rebecca Ferguson has expressed excitement about the upcoming film Dune: Part Three, describing its storyline as “phenomenal.” The 41-year-old actress will return to her role as Lady Jessica in director Denis Villeneuve’s continuation of the acclaimed sci-fi saga. Ferguson assures fans that the film will not disappoint, highlighting the challenges of adapting Frank Herbert’s complex narrative for the screen.
In an interview with IndieWire, Ferguson stated, “The script is phenomenal. It’s really hard to create a film; it’s such a dense book. There’s so much to tell.” She noted that Villeneuve skillfully navigates the source material, aiming to maintain connections to the original text. “Whatever Denis touches I think is phenomenal,” she added.
Despite having a smaller role in this installment, Ferguson confirmed that she has already completed filming. Dune: Part Three is scheduled for release on December 18, 2026. The film is based on Herbert’s 1969 novel, Dune: Messiah, where Lady Jessica plays a minor role. Ferguson hinted that Villeneuve has “a little idea” for her character’s arc in the film.
At the conclusion of Dune: Part Two, Lady Jessica is pregnant with her second child, Alia Atreides, portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy. This character is expected to have a more significant presence in the upcoming film. The narrative of Dune: Part Three will pick up 12 years after the events of its predecessor, focusing on Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, as he assumes the role of Emperor Maud’Dib. The plot will explore themes of betrayal and conflict as Paul navigates the complexities of ruling the Known Universe.
The film will also see the return of familiar faces, including Zendaya as Chani, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, and Javier Bardem as Stilgar. A notable addition to the cast is Robert Pattinson, who will portray Scytale, a Face Dancer and secret agent of the Bene Tleilax, integral to the conspiracy against Paul Atreides.
Villeneuve initially planned to take a break after the release of Dune: Part Two, which is set for March 2024. However, he found himself drawn back to the universe of Arrakis. In a statement to TheWrap, he reflected on the completion of the second film, saying, “When I saw Part Two finished, I realized that that was it. I’d done it. I’d done an adaptation of Dune. And that is something that is an incredible privilege.”
The director revealed that he was surprised by his persistent inspiration to return to the franchise. “I thought that I would want to go write a few films or do a couple of things before going back to Dune: Messiah,” he noted. “But the images that kept coming back to my mind, the appetite is absolutely intact. That’s the biggest surprise. I still want to go back to Arrakis.”
With Ferguson’s enthusiasm and Villeneuve’s creative vision, Dune: Part Three is poised to continue the legacy of this epic saga, promising audiences an engaging cinematic experience.
