Dune 3 release date revealed by IMAX

Every once in a while, Hollywood pumps out a film franchise which stands to define an entire generation of cinema. Those films will normally combine an all-star cast with a great plot and fantastic direction.

For the modern day, it's hard to argue with Dune holding that title. After the first film debuted late in 2021, we were treated to the fantastic sequel – Dune: Part Two – earlier this year.

Many have been questioning when the third film in the franchise would arrive – and now we might have an answer. That's because the IMAX corporation has confirmed that another film in the Dune franchise will be released in 2026.

That tallies up with previous – albeit unconfirmed – reports, which suggested that the next film for director, Dennis Villeneuve, would be released on the 18th of December, 2026. That now looks set to be another part of the Dune franchise.

Villeneuve spoke recently with Digital Spy about the project, noting that, while it was still in its infancy, he was writing a third script. He summed it up, saying, "There's a lot of work that has been done, but there's a lot of work that needs to be done in order to have something solid to shoot."

The next iteration is believed to be based on the Dune Messiah novel. That means we would likely see most of the current cast return to their roles. However, there is no title currently given to the film, so it's unclear if the plot will line up entirely.

It likely would mean another swathe of awards for the franchise. The first film picked up a crate of trophies, including six Academy Awards, a Golden Globe and a Grammy. The second installment widened the mantlepiece further, picking up midseason awards already this year.

With a little over two years before the film is set to arrive, we'll have to wait patiently for the next installment of this modern saga.