Rebecca Ferguson has expressed her excitement for the upcoming film, Dune: Part Three, describing the script as “phenomenal.” The 41-year-old actress will reprise her role as Lady Jessica in the third installment of the acclaimed sci-fi saga, directed by Denis Villeneuve. Ferguson assured fans that the film will not disappoint its audience.
In an interview with IndieWire, she acknowledged the challenges of adapting Frank Herbert’s intricate narrative for the screen. “It’s really hard to create a film; it’s such a dense book. There’s so much to tell,” Ferguson said. She praised Villeneuve’s approach to the source material, noting that he aims to maintain connections to the original story. “Whatever Denis touches I think is phenomenal.”
Despite having a smaller role in this installment, Ferguson revealed that she has already completed filming. Dune: Part Three is scheduled to be released in cinemas on December 18, 2026. The film is based on Herbert’s 1969 novel, Dune: Messiah, which features Lady Jessica in a more limited capacity. Ferguson hinted that Villeneuve has unique plans for her character, stating, “Denis had a little idea” for her involvement.
By the conclusion of Dune: Part Two, Lady Jessica, the mother of Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides, is pregnant with Alia Atreides, portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy. This character is expected to play a significant role in the next film. Dune: Part Three is set to take place twelve years after the events of its predecessor, focusing on Paul Atreides as he faces internal betrayal and war while ruling as Emperor Maud’Dib.
Returning cast members include Zendaya as Chani, Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho, and Javier Bardem as Stilgar. The film will also introduce Robert Pattinson in the role of Scytale, a Face Dancer and secret agent of the Bene Tleilax who is pivotal to the plot against Paul Atreides.
Villeneuve, who directed Dune: Part Two, had initially planned to take a break from the franchise after its release. However, he felt a strong urge to return to the narrative of Arrakis. “When I saw Part Two finished, I realised that I’d done it. I’d done an adaptation of Dune. And that is something that is an incredible privilege,” he stated in an interview with TheWrap.
The director admitted that he was surprised by his desire to continue with the series. “I thought that I would want to go write a few films or do a couple of things before going back to Dune: Messiah. But the images that kept coming back to my mind, the appetite is absolutely intact. That’s the biggest surprise. I still want to go back to Arrakis.”
As anticipation builds for Dune: Part Three, fans are eager to see how Villeneuve and Ferguson bring Herbert’s complex universe to life once again. With a stellar cast and a promising script, the upcoming film is positioned to be a significant cinematic event.
