Jason Momoa has officially confirmed his return to the Dune franchise, much to the delight of fans who thought they had seen the last of his character, Duncan Idaho. The 45-year-old actor made this announcement during an appearance on the TODAY show, where he spoke with host Craig Melvin.
Momoa first portrayed the swordmaster Duncan Idaho in the 2021 film Dune, a role that saw him sacrifice himself to allow Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet, and his mother, Jessica, portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson, time to escape an ambush. Although Idaho met his end in the first film and was notably absent from the 2024 sequel, Dune: Part Two, it seems that his story is far from over.
In the original six-part Dune series by Frank Herbert, published between 1965 and 1985, Duncan Idaho is expected to return as a clone in the sequel, Dune: Messiah. During his interview, Momoa confirmed, "Well, I’m not sure if I’m going to get in trouble or not, but it’s the same thing like ‘Game of Thrones’, you know what I mean? If you didn’t read the books, it’s not my fault, right? Yeah, there’s going to be…I’m going to be coming back. You heard it first, right here with you, baby." His excitement for the role was palpable as he teased fans with the news of his comeback.
Denis Villeneuve, the director of the Dune films, has also weighed in on the upcoming third installment. Speaking to Deadline in October 2024, he acknowledged the return of the main cast, which includes Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Anya Taylor-Joy. Villeneuve noted, "They have to return. They are with the main cast when it happens. And more worms. What can I say?" He further explained that the third film will take place 12 years after the events of Dune: Part Two, stating, "Their journey, their story is different this time, and that’s why I always say that while it’s the same world it’s a new film with new circumstances." This shift in narrative suggests a fresh perspective on the beloved characters.
Dune: Messiah is currently expected to release in 2026, with production reports indicating that filming is set to begin in mid to late summer 2025. While Zendaya is likely to reprise her role as Chani, her busy schedule may pose challenges for the production timeline. In addition to Dune, she is slated to work on Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, a fourth Spider-Man film, and the third season of Euphoria.
The Dune franchise has proven to be a massive success for both Villeneuve and Warner Bros. Dune: Part Two, which debuted in 2024, grossed over $700 million worldwide and received five Oscar nominations, solidifying its status as a blockbuster hit. Villeneuve has expressed that this third film will be his final installment in the franchise, a sentiment he shared in February 2024, stating, "The screenplay is almost finished but it is not finished. It will take a little time … There’s a dream of making a third movie … it would make absolute sense to me."
Momoa’s connection to the character of Duncan Idaho runs deeper than just acting; he has previously revealed that he included a personal Easter egg in the first film as a tribute to his son. The martial arts moves of Duncan Idaho were heavily inspired by the Filipino national martial art of Kali, a style that Momoa admitted he had not learned before filming, although his son is well-versed in it. He shared, "There’s definitely these intimate moments where I’m signaling to my son. That’s a Kali move, where you put your hand on your heart and put it on your head. That’s to Timothée in the movie, but that’s to my son in real life." This personal touch adds a layer of depth to Momoa’s portrayal, highlighting the emotional connection he has with the role.
As fans eagerly await the next chapter in the Dune saga, the confirmation of Jason Momoa’s return as Duncan Idaho has rekindled excitement for what lies ahead. With a fresh narrative and the return of beloved characters, Dune: Messiah promises to be an intriguing continuation of the epic story.
