Denis Villeneuve is back on Arrakis, and filming on “Dune: Part Two” has begun. Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Entertainment have already announced a November 2023 worldwide cinema release date for the film. Villeneuve is now filming the sequel in Budapest, Abu Dhabi, Jordan, and Italy.

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The official synopsis for “Dune: Part 2” from Warner Bros. and Legendary reads, “This follow-up film will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.”

The returning cast, led by Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, has also been confirmed by Warner Bros. and Legendary. Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, and Stephen McKinley Henderson will return to the cast.

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The studios have also announced previously reported cast additions, which include “Elvis” breakout Austin Butler as the infamous Feyd Rautha, Christopher Walken as the Emperor, Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux, and Souheila Yacoub.

The first “Dune” film, directed by Villeneuve, premiered last October in cinemas and on HBO Max to critical acclaim. The film grossed $108 million in the United States and $401 million worldwide. “Dune” was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including best picture, and won for score, sound, editing, cinematography, production design, and visual effects. For “Part Two,” Villeneuve’s entire Oscar-winning production team is back.

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The crew for “Dune: Part Two” has been confirmed by the studios: cinematographer Greig Fraser, costume designer Jacqueline West, makeup, hair, and prosthetic designer Donald Mowat, composer Hans Zimmer, production designer Patrice Vermette, editor Joe Walker, visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert, and special effects supervisor Gerd Nefzer.

“The thing that helps us right now is that it’s the first time I’ve revisited a universe,” Villeneuve expressed interest in returning for the “Dune” sequel earlier this year. “So I’m working with the same crew, everybody knows what to do, we know what it will look like. The movie will be more challenging, but we know where we are stepping. And the screenplay is written. So I feel confident. Frankly, the only big unknown for me right now is the pandemic.”

“Dune: Part Two” premieres on November 17, 2023.