Warner Bros. Begins Production on ‘Dune: Messiah’ in Jordan as Budget Swells to $225 Million

Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Discovery officially commenced principal photography on ‘Dune: Messiah’ this Sunday, marking the beginning of the final chapter in Denis Villeneuve’s celebrated sci-fi trilogy. The production has set up base camp in the Wadi Rum desert of Jordan, a location that has become synonymous with the franchise’s depiction of Arrakis. According to production briefs released to the press this morning, the shoot is scheduled to last approximately five months, with subsequent location work planned for Abu Dhabi and the Altivole region of Italy later this winter.

Financial filings associated with the production indicate a significant escalation in resources for this installment. The budget for ‘Messiah’ has been greenlit at $225 million, a substantial increase from the $190 million allocated to ‘Dune: Part Two’. Studio insiders attribute the rising costs to the complex “time jump” mechanics required by the narrative, which is set 12 years after the previous film, as well as an expanded use of IMAX-certified digital cameras. Villeneuve is reportedly shooting 100% of the film in the 1.90:1 and 1.43:1 aspect ratios, a technical first for the series that aims to replicate the immersion of the 2024 blockbuster.

Casting confirmations accompanying the start of production have settled months of industry speculation regarding the role of Alia Atreides. Anya Taylor-Joy, who made a brief, uncredited cameo in the second film, has officially joined the main cast as a series regular. She joins returning leads Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, alongside Florence Pugh, whose role as Princess Irulan is described in the production notes as the “political anchor” of the new narrative. The studio also confirmed that composer Hans Zimmer has already completed the principal themes for the score, aiming to integrate the music live on set to aid the actors’ performances.

The start of filming comes as Warner Bros. attempts to solidify its theatrical calendar for late 2026. ‘Dune: Messiah’ is firmly dated for December 18, 2026, a release corridor that effectively positions it as the studio’s primary holiday tentpole. “The goal is to replicate the ‘Return of the King’ trajectory,” stated a source within Legendary Pictures, referring to the massive commercial and critical success of the final ‘Lord of the Rings’ film. “With the ‘Harry Potter’ series still in pre-production for HBO, ‘Dune’ is currently the single most valuable theatrical IP in the Warner portfolio.”

Local economic reports from Jordan suggest the production will inject approximately $45 million into the regional economy over the next six weeks. The Jordan Royal Film Commission has facilitated the closure of several key tourist sites in the protected Wadi Rum reserve to accommodate the massive unit, which numbers over 800 crew members. Security in the region is reportedly tight, with drone-detection systems employed to protect the secrecy of the new character designs, particularly those involving the “Guild Navigators,” which are expected to make their debut in this installment.