‘Dune: Part Three’ Unveils Striking New Covers Featuring Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet

voice film logo squareArthur S. Poe
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Few magazines have been as integral to the promotion of Denis Villeneuve’s saga as Empire. In 2020, the publication provided three exclusive covers that offered fans their first glimpse at the sandworms. Fast forward to 2023, and Villeneuve used the cover story for ‘Dune: Part Two’ to confirm that a third film adapting ‘Dune Messiah’ was indeed on the horizon.

That vision is now just days away from becoming a reality. ‘Dune: Part Three’ is set to be the grand finale of Villeneuve’s trilogy, and the marketing campaign is in full swing. Each new image has fans eagerly analyzing every detail for hints about how this epic tale will conclude.

Empire has now released another exciting update. The magazine has revealed two new covers for ‘Dune: Part Three’, one featuring Zendaya’s Chani and the other showcasing Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides. Both covers depict their characters in stillsuits against a stunning golden desert backdrop, with other cast members positioned behind them. The covers suggest that the saga reaches a climactic end, describing the finale as bigger, darker, and more intense.

The pull quotes from the covers are just as intriguing as the visuals. Zendaya’s cover line hints at a profound betrayal, aligning with the emotional core of the narrative. Conversely, Chalamet’s quote characterizes the film as a unique beast.

This betrayal is not unexpected. At the conclusion of ‘Dune: Part Two’, Paul initiated a holy war, shocking Chani. Chalamet has indicated that Chani feels deeply betrayed following the events of the second film, leading to a fractured relationship.

The trailer emphasizes this heartbreak, portraying Paul as a ruthless Emperor grappling with the repercussions of his reign, while Chani prepares for conflict, expressing her feelings of betrayal over his quest for power. One report even highlighted a scene in the trailer showing her pregnant before she parts ways with him.

Villeneuve has been clear that this installment will not replicate its predecessors. He has instructed his team to avoid retracing their steps, describing a different tone, rhythm, and pace. The film jumps 17 years ahead, with Paul confronting the fallout of wielding excessive power and attempting to break free from a cycle of violence.

The director has also described the film as more action-oriented and tense, leaning towards a thriller vibe. Simultaneously, he notes that the story carries a heavier emotional weight, utilizing a special “Psychedelic Unit” to achieve experimental visuals. Chalamet has pointed out that the film incorporates storylines not explicitly detailed in the book, showcasing Villeneuve’s creative liberties.

The cast continues to expand. Robert Pattinson joins the ensemble as Scytale, a shape-shifting schemer, while Anya Taylor-Joy returns as Alia after the time leap. Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan, Jason Momoa’s Duncan Idaho, Rebecca Ferguson, and Javier Bardem complete the star-studded lineup.

The film was primarily shot on 65mm film, with select sequences in 15/70mm IMAX and desert scenes captured in IMAX Digital. Production took place from July to November 2025 in Budapest and Abu Dhabi, with Hans Zimmer returning to compose the score.

It’s worth noting the timing of the release. ‘Dune: Part Three’ is set to premiere on December 18 in the US, coinciding with the release of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. Chalamet and Robert Downey Jr. have both humorously suggested turning it into a Barbenheimer-style double feature, although it remains uncertain if the studios will agree.

The Empire cover itself hints at that cinematic showdown, with a line suggesting burning questions will be answered regarding the Marvel film. Nonetheless, the magazine’s primary focus is clearly on Arrakis. With such an ambitious trilogy finale, it’s hard to dispute that.

These two covers encapsulate what makes this series remarkable: a love story set against the backdrop of a crumbling empire. If the cover lines are any indication, the finale promises to be as poignant as it is grand.

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