Denis Villeneuve and Legendary Set to Develop ‘Dune 3’ and Adapt ‘Nuclear War: A Scenario’

Following the overwhelming success of “Dune: Part Two,” renowned director Denis Villeneuve appears to have his sights set on his next project.

It has been confirmed that Villeneuve is in talks with Legendary Entertainment to collaborate on a film adaptation of Nuclear War: A Scenario, a Pulitzer Prize finalist by Annie Jacobsen. In addition to this, discussions are underway regarding a third installment in the Dune film series, marking another potential reunion between Villeneuve and the studio.

Legendary has already secured the rights to adapt Jacobsen’s nonfiction work, and Villeneuve is considering roles as a producer, screenwriter, and possibly director. His longtime collaborator, Tanya Lapointe, is also expected to be involved in the production.

Jacobsen’s book, which was published on March 26, explores a high-stakes scenario involving nuclear war, drawing from extensive interviews with military and civilian experts who are familiar with the creation of nuclear weapons and the plans in place for their deployment. These experts were involved in developing response strategies and were responsible for decisions that could have had catastrophic consequences if the worst had occurred.

Meanwhile, Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two continues to dominate the box office, having grossed an impressive $630 million globally. The film, starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya alongside a star-studded cast, is the top-grossing movie of 2024. In this sequel, Chalamet’s character, Paul Atreides, rises as the foretold savior, seeking vengeance against those who destroyed his family. The first film, released in 2021, was also a success, earning $402 million worldwide.

Annie Jacobsen is a well-established author, known for other notable works such as Area 51, Operation Paperclip, The Pentagon’s Brain, Phenomena, Surprise, Kill, Vanish, and First Platoon. In addition to her career as an author, Jacobsen has contributed as a writer and producer for television, including the popular series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan.

The development of Dune 3 and the adaptation of Nuclear War: A Scenario could prove to be significant future ventures for both Villeneuve and Legendary, following their continued success with the Dune franchise.