Florence Pugh Confirms Dune 3 Return & Filming Window

Dune: Part Three's filming window gets a new update from Florence Pugh, who confirms Princess Irulan's return. Pugh joined the hit sci-fi franchise in Dune: Part Two, Denis Villeneuve's acclaimed follow-up to his 2021 adaptation of Frank Herbert's Dune. The sequel was a massive hit, leading to confirmation that Dune: Part Three is on the way, with a release scheduled for December 2026. The film is expected to continue the story of Timothée Chalamet's Paul Atreides, drawing from the events of Dune Messiah, the second installment in Herbert's novel series.

In a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, Pugh reveals that she will commence filming on Dune: Part Three this summer. While the actor doesn't reveal any story information about what's to come for Princess Irulan, she does express her hopes that the character has a bigger role this time around:

“I hope we see more of her. I want more cool outfits!”

What This Means For Dune: Part Three

Irulan's Role In Dune Messiah Explained

Filming on Dune: Part Three was previously reported to be getting underway this summer, but this new interview with Pugh is the first time it has been confirmed by someone involved in the production. Principal photography will seemingly wrap well before 2025 is over, leaving plenty of time for post-production.

Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan in Dune 2.

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This filming start for Dune: Part Three means audiences could be getting a first look at the film this year, with actors likely to share posts from the set, just as Zendaya did while she was filming the previous movie in November 2022. As for Pugh's hopes for a larger role for Princess Irulan, there has been no confirmation just yet about what's to come for any of the characters.

The events of Dune Messiah do provide some hints about this, however, with that story picking up 12 years after the Dune: Part Two ending. Without delving too far into spoiler territory, Irulan does play a relatively prominent role in the novel as Paul's Imperial Consort, a development set up at the end of the previous film. Zendaya's Chani, however, also returns as Paul's concubine, setting up a new character dynamic.

Our Take On Florence Pugh's Dune: Part Three Update

Irulan Deserves A Bigger Role In The Next Installment

In addition to epic sci-fi storytelling and spectacle, the Dune: Part Two cast was one of the film's greatest strengths. It had some of Hollywood's most buzzy young actors, including Chalamet, Zendaya, Pugh, and Austin Butler, all in one place. Though Butler seemingly won't be returning in the next installment, Dune: Part Three has a chance to dig deeper into Irulan, just as Part Two did with Chani after that character's small role in the 2021 film.

Other actors who could return in Dune: Part Three include Rebecca Ferguson as Jessica, Javier Bardem as Stilgar, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot, and Christopher Walken as Emperor Shaddam IV.

Pugh's role as the new Black Widow in the MCU has allowed her star power to continue to grow over the past few years, and that's only set to increase with the release of Thunderbolts* this spring and Avengers: Doomsday next year. Chalamet and Zendaya will continue to be major audience draws, but Pugh, too, will surely make Dune: Part Three even more anticipated, especially if she has a larger role in the movie this time around.

Source: Harper's Bazaar